Thousands have gathered in Copenhagen to pay tribute to the victims of a shooting at a weekend mall that left three people dead, including two teenagers.
“Cruel, unjust and meaningless. Tonight, we all cry, “Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told the massive crowd that gathered Tuesday in front of the Field shopping complex where the attack took place. Frederiksen called for unity in front of the tragedy.
A 17-year-old boy and a 47-year-old Russian man living in Denmark were killed and at least four people were injured after a gunman opened fire on a crowded shopping center in Copenhagen on Sunday.
The shooting in the late afternoon shook the city, which had just hosted the first stages of the Tour de France cycling competition and saw the return of the Roskilde music festival after the cancellations due to the Covid-19.
“Tonight, we all cry”: Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen speaks in the service. Photography: Anadolu / Getty Images Agency
“It’s not hard to imagine, ‘what if he were my son?’ “I am the mother of two teenagers,” Copenhagen Mayor Sophie Andersen said during a speech, followed by a moment of silence.
“Children and young people should not die. They should be immortal, “Andersen added.
The Crown Prince of Denmark Frederik also attended the event, where speeches were interspersed with musical performances.
“We’re together in this difficult time,” Frederik said.
The atmosphere was gloomy, with some crying among the many families and young people who had gathered.
People comfort each other in the memorial service. Photography: Sergei Grits / AP
“I am quite ambivalent. Of course, it’s a pleasure to see all these people who are here to support people who have been harmed by this action, but I’m also a little scared, “said Oliver Stoltz, who works in a retail store. mall sporting goods.
The 24-year-old was in Field’s – located between the city center and the capital’s airport – when the shooting began and he heard the first shots.
“This was a place where I could go to work, be happy and have fun. Now I’m even afraid to come here to this part of town. “
The alleged perpetrator of the attack, a 22-year-old Dane who authorities say was known to mental health services, was arrested Monday in a closed psychiatric ward on murder charges.
A woman lays flowers in front of the Field Mall. Photography: Anadolu / Getty Images Agency
Police said Tuesday they had no new information to disclose about the investigation.
The Field Mall has been closed since the attack and is expected to reopen on July 11th.
Denmark’s largest film chain also kept all its cinemas closed because the 17-year-old boy killed in the attack was working in the mall’s cinema.
Nordisk Film Biografer told Facebook that the company made the decision out of respect for the victims and “to talk about the situation with our staff.”
With Agence France-Presse and Associated Press