Authorities in Brussels are urgently seeking the public’s help in locating a man suspected of causing the death of an 85-year-old Belgian man following an altercation at a Lidl store in Molenbeek-Saint-Jean.

The incident occurred on Saturday, March 8, around 3:30 p.m. at the Lidl supermarket located on Chaussée de Gand.

According to witness accounts reported by Sudpresse, the elderly man named Gilbert had momentarily stepped away from his shopping cart at the checkout to quickly pick up an additional item.

“When he came back, a young man had taken his place,” a supermarket employee told Belgian media. “The young man pushed the old man’s shopping cart aside. The elderly man who was just walking back to his cart at that moment saw that happen. It came to an argument between the two.”

A heated verbal exchange ensued, which escalated when the younger individual allegedly forcefully shoved Gilbert to the ground, causing him to sustain severe injuries. He was knocked unconscious and suffered skull trauma.

“We immediately called an ambulance, which took the man to the hospital. The victim was a regular customer of this supermarket. It’s very bad what happened,” said a witness.

Gilbert later succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.

“The individual is between 25 and 30 years old. He is of slim build, has a beard, and wears glasses,” a police report stated in its description of the suspect. “At the time of the incident, he was wearing a light tracksuit, black sneakers, and a beige patterned cap.”

At the request of the Brussels prosecutor’s office, the police issued a public appeal for assistance last Thursday, urging anyone who recognizes the suspect or who has additional information regarding this incident to come forward immediately and contact the investigators.

Gilbert had been the sole carer for his wife, both of whom were in their 80s and had lived in Brussels for over 50 years.

“Gilbert was still very spry for his age. He was still cycling around Brussels,” a neighbor told Nieuwsblad.

“For the rest, Gilbert was a very withdrawn person, but someone who would never let himself be done. The fact that he claimed his place in the queue in front of such a young guy says how Gilbert was. This is very bad for the wife. She has difficulty walking and really needed her husband for all the daily worries,” they added.

As of Monday morning, the alleged perpetrator is still at large. Authorities had received six reports from members of the public. “We hope that the right information is among these avenues,” a police spokesperson told the press.