Copenhagen Shooting In Danish Capital

On Sunday, 3 July, three people were shot, and four were injured in Denmark’s capital, Copenhagen, in the Fields shopping center. The BBC identifies these victims as two Danish 17-year-olds and a Russian in his late 40s. Four were wounded, including two Danes and Swedes, with one in critical condition. 

The police were called late at 5:37 pm after reports of a shooting. They urged people to stay put inside and wait for assistance. Some media footage showed terrified shoppers running from the mall; Danish tabloid BT published video footage by a witness that showed a man with a giant rifle walking and swinging it around his shoulders.  The gunman was arrested at 5:48 pm, noted by the Guardian; Investigators say he was carrying a rifle and ammunition. He has been identified as a 22-year-old Danish man who the police charged with manslaughter. Monday is when he would face the judge for the charges of murder. They suspected he had mental health issues and didn’t indicate terrorism or racist motivation. 

The man most likely acted alone as the police launched a search operation throughout the Zealand region for any accomplices. Thomassen has announced that they “will have a large investigation and a massive operational presence in Copenhagen until we can say with certainty: he was alone.” The police have urged shopkeepers nearby to save any CCTV footage of the incident.

Many eyewitnesses, such as Rikke Levandowski, said that they thought the gunman was a thief at first, but then they heard the shots. The man was “just shooting into the crowd, not up in the ceiling or into the floor.” Another witness, Isabella, said that she and her friend heard about ten shots and then ran into the toilet with 11 others. 

Shortly after, the Danish royal family announced the cancellation of the reception that was due to be hosted by Crown Prince Frederik in celebration of the Tour de France. 

The Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen, said ‘this was a cruel attack on the country. Several were killed. Innocent families are shopping or eating out. Children, adolescents, and adults. Their beautiful and usual safe capital was changed in a split second.’  This attack occurred after Denmark hosted the first three stages of the Tour de France race for the first time. She wanted to encourage the Danes to stand and support each other during this difficult time. 

This has been the worst gun attack for Denmark since 2015, when a similar attack occurred.

Tags: police Denmark shooting copenhagen gunman

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