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Body of woman found at home of gunman in Belgian grenade attack

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REPORTING FROM LONDON -- The body of a cleaning woman was found in a shed at the home of the gunman who threw grenades and opened fire on shoppers in a busy square in eastern Belgium, authorities said Wednesday.

The woman was found shot in the head during a police search of the property of Nordine Amrani, the 33-year-old who launched an extraordinary attack in the Belgian city of Liege on Tuesday.

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Two teenage boys and a toddler were killed in the assault, which took place in the shadow of Liege’s imposing cathedral. A 75-year-old woman who authorities said had died in the attack was removed from the list of fatalities Wednesday.

Photos: Belgian grenade attack

More than 100 people were injured, local media reports said.

Amrani, who was armed with an assault rifle, a revolver and grenades, also died in the incident, apparently from a bullet to the head, local prosecutor Daniele Reynders said Wednesday. It remains unclear whether the self-inflicted shot was deliberate or accidental.

Amrani had a history of drug and weapon convictions and was already known to police, who had summoned him for questioning on an unspecified matter Tuesday morning, officials said.

Authorities have not pinpointed a motive for the attack, but have ruled out ideological terrorism.

Amrani flung at least three grenades that exploded at a busy stop in the square, then sprayed the crowd with bullets. Video footage showed panicked bystanders screaming and fleeing for safety.

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Such major gun violence in Belgium is rare. The country’s king and queen and newly installed prime minister visited the site after the assault to pay their respects.

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