A shooting in Copenhagen on Sunday sent horrifying shoppers to flee for safety at Denmark’s largest shopping center, killing three people and seriously injuring at least three, officials said.
Copenhagen police inspector Soren Thomassen said early Monday local time that the dead included a man in his 40s and two young people. He did not disclose how many were injured in total, but said three were in serious condition.
He said police had detained 22-year-old Dane in connection with a shooting that occurred around 6 pm local time. Authorities did not release information on possible motives, but believed that the man was acting alone.
“I’m sure it was the criminal who arrested us,” said Thomassen. “He had a rifle and had ammunition for that rifle.”
Gun violence in Denmark is relatively rare, at least compared to the United States, where shooting in public places is commonplace.According to a repository of gun violence data held by the University of Sydney, Denmark is a little higher Death from 1 in 100,000 guns Every year, the United States is just over twelve.
The shooting on Sunday happened at Field shopping centerIt is said to be 9 minutes by subway from the center of Copenhagen and has more than 140 shops including Danish and international fashion brands.
Mall employee Told the local press The “many people” were running to evacuate to the Kentucky Fried Chicken Restaurant in Fields. Employees said the employee barricaded the door and stayed there for about 45 minutes.
Witness Mahdi Al-Wazni told TV2 News that he saw the shooter.
“He looked violent and angry and was screaming while running,” he added, adding that he saw a shooter breaking the window at the mall.
Other witnesses described the scene of a panic and the scene of an employee helping shoppers escape through a room in the back of the store. A woman told TV 2 that she and her family stopped by to have a snack for their one-year-old daughter when her family heard a big bang.
Ricke Olsen said her husband initially thought the noise was someone launching fireworks or throwing firecrackers. Following the noise, the patrons of the mall running toward the family rang at once.
In retrospect, Olsen saw a man holding something that looked like the rifle he was loading, she said.
“Looking back, I hold the hand of a 3-year-old boy and run as fast as I can,” she said. “I just pull him with me, and then I lose my grip, and people are stepping on him because they are running.”
She picked him up and kept running.
In a statement late Sunday, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen urged Danes to unite in the aftermath of a “cruel attack.”
“Some people were killed,” she said. “More people were injured. Innocent families shopping and eating. Children, young people, and adults.”
“We were all brutally torn from the bright summer just beginning,” she continued. “I don’t understand. It’s sad. It doesn’t make sense. Our beautiful, usually very safe capital has changed in an instant.”
At the time of filming, Harry Styles fans were gathering near the city’s Royal Arena, waiting for a former One Direction singer to perform. Around 8 pm, 17,000 spectators were told to postpone the concert, but 90 minutes later, the show was said to have been canceled due to “safety concerns”. Reported by the BBC..
“I hurt with the people of Copenhagen,” Styles said. Said on twitter.. “I love this city. People are so warm and full of love. I am overwhelmed by the injuries of the victims, their families, and everyone. I’m sorry I couldn’t be with you. Take care of each other. “
Christine Chung Report that contributed.