A dispute over a game of Monopoly led to a samurai swordfight in Brussels in the early hours of Sunday morning. Two men were injured, one seriously, following an argument between a group of four people and a resident of the area in which they were playing the board game. It has been reported that the resident’s son came out of the house carrying a Japanese samurai sword in its holster, although the weapon was only exposed when one of the players attempted to grab it.
The incident took place in the Forest district of the Belgian capital, and the confrontation left the street covered in blood with scattered Monopoly cards. The game had apparently been taking place on the pavement outside the resident’s home, and the noise and disruption had caused annoyance among nearby residents. Tensions boiled over when a man came out of the house and got into an argument with the players.
When the resident’s son became involved, things turned violent. Two men were taken to hospital, and both were also arrested. The injured Monopoly player was later discharged, but the resident’s son was said to be in a life-threatening condition. The area where the game had taken place was cordoned off for forensic examination.
The use of a samurai sword has caused particular concern in Brussels, where there are existing fears over the availability of illegal weapons. After a spate of gang-related violence, the city has introduced measures aimed at reducing the number of weapon-related incidents. However, it seems that the incident was more to do with an argument that got out of hand than with any pre-planned act of violence. Nevertheless, it serves as a reminder of the dangers of allowing disputes to escalate, particularly where weapons are involved.
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