Three people have been shot dead, and four others hospitalised with injuries during a shooting on Sunday at a shopping mall in Copenhagen. One of the four remains in critical condition, officials say. A further twenty people sustained minor injuries during the evacuation of the mall and an additional three were treated for possible stray shots but have since gone home.
Police say they received reports of the gunfire at around 5.35 pm at the Fields shopping centre and about 13 minutes later they arrested a 22-year-old suspect, who has been described as “ethnically Danish” according to the Local Denmark and other media outlets.
Copenhagen police inspector Søren Thomassen said it was too early to speculate about the motive behind the attack, but they don’t believe it was terror-related. Officials believe the suspect acted alone.
“Our preliminary investigation continues to indicate that the perpetrator acted on his own. We are in the process of a massive and very extensive investigation, which will continue throughout the night and in the coming days, ” Thomassen said in a statement.
In leaked footage, the alleged gunman is seen wearing what appears to be a vest or sleeveless shirt and holding what appeared to be a rifle.
Denmark’s prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, said the country had been hit by a “cruel attack”.
“It is incomprehensible. Heartbreaking. Pointless,” she said.
“Our beautiful and usually so safe capital was changed in a split second.”
“Our beautiful and usually so safe capital was changed in a split second.”
Sunday’s attack is the worst in Denmark since February 2015 when a 22-year-old man was killed in a shootout with police after he went on a rampage in the capital. Two people were killed and five police officers wounded.
Mall attack leaves Denmark stunned
Heavily armed officers have been standing on guard outside the shopping centre all morning whilst investigators were going in and out.
There are police vehicles lining the street outside, and police tape cordoning off the main entrance.
Today, what is usually a busy office district, is unsurprisingly quiet. The shopping centre is a popular place for families and young people. At the time of the shooting, thousands of people were making their way to the Royal Arena concert hall – less than a mile away, to see Harry Styles perform. The concert was cancelled as a result of the shooting.
Gun violence is incredibly rare in Demark and mass shootings are almost unheard of, Sunday’s events have deeply shocked the people of this small Nordic country.
Witness describe the shooting
Images have begun circulating the internet of both the believed shooter and of crowds running away from the scene.
“People first thought it was a thief… Then I suddenly hear shots and threw myself behind the counter inside the store,” eyewitness Rikke Levandowski told broadcaster TV2.
“He is just shooting into the crowd, not up in the ceiling or into the floor,” she added.
Another witness who gave her name as Isabella told public broadcaster DR: “My friend and I… suddenly we hear shots. I hear about 10 shots and then run as fast as we can into a toilet.
“We squeeze into this tiny toilet where we are around 11 people.”
What are Denmark’s gun laws?
According to police, the 22-year-old shooter was armed with a rifle, a pistol and a knife and while the guns are not believed to be illegal, the suspect did not have a licence for them.
Denmark has restrictive gun laws that are regulated by the Ministry of Justice and the European Commission.
Civilians are banned from owning full automatic firearms, while semi-automatic weapons and handguns are only allowed with special authorisation.
Applicants for a gun owner’s licence are required to establish a genuine reason to possess a firearm – e.g hunting.
To be issued a licence, the applicant must pass a background check which considers criminal and mental health records.
Norwegian PM asks why us? Two weeks after Oslo shooting
Sunday’s attack in Denmark comes less than two weeks after a gunman opened fire in Oslo, in neighbouring Norway. The Norwegian PM Jonas Gahr Stoere says he understands the public’s fears – but leaders are doing all they can.
“This is the most important task for the government at any time. And then each of us must take care of those around us and extend a hand to those who are now extra scared,” he says in a statement, adding:
“There is still a lot we don’t know about why the perpetrators in Oslo and Copenhagen committed the terrible acts, but regardless of the motive and background, our answer must be clear: we stand together in the face of violence and hatred. We are strengthened in our faith in community and love.”
Gahr Stoere also says Scandinavian countries are working to strengthen the goal of “creating safe communities that prevent mental illness and radicalization”, though he doesn’t give any detail on what’s actually being done.
“My thoughts are with the victims, their relatives and to all those who are currently working to save lives and keep the population safe,” the leader adds.
Harry Styles ‘devastated’ by deadly shooting
Harry Styles says he is “devastated” and “heartbroken” by the shooting. He was due to perform at the Royal Arena venue in the south of the Danish capital on Sunday night as part of his Love On Tour shows.
By order of the police, he cancelled the show following the shooting, which was less than a mile from the venue. Large crowds had already gathered inside the arena when the cancellation was announced and fans were asked to leave.
Pearl Jam and Queen + Adam Lambert are all set to perform at the arena in the coming weeks.
A reception with the Danish Crown Prince Frederik, due to be held on the royal yacht which is moored in Sonderborg in the south of Denmark has also been called following the incident.
Harry Styles tweeted: “I’m heartbroken along with the people of Copenhagen. I adore this city. The people are so warm and full of love.
“I’m devastated for the victims, their families, and everyone hurting.
“I’m sorry we couldn’t be together. Please look after each other.”
The 28-year-old singer signed his tweet, “H”.
Live Nation, the promoter of Styles’ tour, said in a statement: “Tonight’s concert with Harry Styles has been cancelled by direction of the Danish Police.
“We are all truly devastated by the events of today and our thoughts are with the victims and their families.
“We are looking into future possibilities for the show, and hope to be able to give ticket buyers direct information as soon as possible.”
