[4] Kim de Gelder, a 20-year-old Belgian from Sinaai, entered the Fabeltjesland nursery through an unlocked side-door, claiming that he had a question to ask.

Initial reports on Belgian television suggested that five people had been killed and twenty others had been injured,[12] with government officials only confirming the death of one adult and one child.

[citation needed] A massive search operation was mounted,[14] and a man was captured by police a short while later, in the nearby town of Lebbeke.

At a press conference on the evening of the attack, public prosecutor Christian Du Four provided the following information about the alleged offender, denying several early rumours:[18][19][20][21]He is a 20-year-old Belgian and was not under the influence of drugs or alcoholic beverages.

Prosecutor Christian Du Four told journalists that there were "very clear indications of links between the murders",[24] though De Gelder denies any involvement.

[27] The media originally reported that De Gelder was wearing makeup at the time of the attack, making him look like the Joker, but police have not confirmed that depiction.

Psychiatrists believed that De Gelder was faking psychosis and instead diagnosed him with schizotypal personality disorder with psychopathic traits and narcissistic features.

The College of Psychiatrists concluded De Gelder was mentally ill but competent to stand trial, and was in control of his actions when he committed the murders.