Flanders

The man who was shot in the foot when trying to stop two thieves from stealing a handbag at Brussels Airport, tells his story in today's newspapers. 29-year-old Jesse Urban thus becomes a local hero and also received a visit in hospital from the American ambassador to Belgium, Howard Gutman.

Jesse Urban intervened when he saw how two thieves were stealing a handbag from a Brasilian woman at the entrance of Brussels Airport, early yesterday morning. He managed to bring one thief to the ground, but was shot in the foot by a companion of the criminal. This allowed the two to escape. There is still no trace of the offenders, despite major efforts by the police.

Jesse Urban is recovering well after the incident. He was lucky that the bullet didn't hit any nerves in his foot. He was visited by Howard Gutman yesterday in the Jan Portaels Hospital yesterday. "Mr Gutman wanted to know if I was okay. Pretty cool", he told reporters.

"As far as I know, it's the first time that an American has been shot in Belgium while trying to prevent a theft," Howard Gutman said. "We will take care of his flight home and make sure he is well looked after."

The victim says he would do the same if the same situation would happen again. "I would not hesitate one second. But don't call me a hero. In fact, I am a loser because I let them get away", he smiled. Jesse Urban was in Belgium for business and will return home to his pregnant wife and his two children in Wisconsin now. Shooting incidents at Brussels Airport are very rare.