A gunman opened fire inside a busy mall in the Danish capital on Sunday, killing several people and injuring several others, police said.
A 22-year-old Dane was arrested, Copenhagen police inspector Thomassen told reporters, adding that there were no indications that anyone else was involved in the attack, although police were still investigating.
These shootings are rare in Denmark. Thomassen said it was too early to speculate on the reason for the shooting, which took place late in the afternoon at Field’s, one of Scandinavia’s largest shopping malls and located on the outskirts of the Danish capital. When the shots rang, some people hid in the shops while others fled in a panic, according to witnesses.
Read more: 374 dead. 22 mass shootings in the United States. Where did the weapons come from?
The story continues under the ad
“It’s pure terror. That’s horrible,” said Hans Christian Stoltz, a 53-year-old computer consultant who was taking his daughters to see Harry Styles perform at the concert scheduled for Sunday night near the mall. “You may be wondering how a person can do this to another human being, but is it beyond? Beyond anything that is possible.”
Thomassen did not give a specific count of casualties beyond saying there were several people dead and several injured. He said the suspect was an “ethnic Dane,” a phrase commonly used to mean someone is white.
Danish broadcaster TV2 posted a grainy photograph of the alleged gunman, a man in knee-length shorts and a T-shirt and with what appeared to be a rifle in his right hand.
Trend stories
-
France plans to return to masks as hospitalizations for COVID-19 pick up
-
A massive cruise fight captured on video, requires the intervention of the Coast Guard
0:34 Footage from the Copenhagen shopping mall showing people fleeing gunfire. Images from the Copenhagen shopping mall recording show people fleeing the shots
Copenhagen Mayor Sophie H. Andersen tweeted: “Terrible shooting reports in Fields. We still don’t know for sure how many were injured or killed, but it’s very serious.”
The story continues under the ad
Images of the scene showed people running outside the mall, and TV2 posted a photo of a man standing on a stretcher. After the shooting, a huge contingent of heavily armed police patrolled the area, with several firefighters ’vehicles also parked outside the mall.
Laurits Hermansen told Danish broadcaster DR that she was in a mall clothing store with her family when she heard “three, four blows.” Very strong blows. It looked like the shots were fired right next to the store. “
The shopping center is located on the outskirts of Copenhagen, just opposite a one-line metro station connecting the city center with the international airport. An important road also passes next to the mall.
Danish media reported that the Harry Styles concert, scheduled at the nearby Royal Arena, was suspended.
On Snapchat, Styles wrote, “My team and I pray for everyone involved in the Copenhagen mall shooting. I’m surprised. Love H.”
Shortly after the shooting, the royal palace said a reception with Crown Prince Frederik related to the Tour de France cycling race had been canceled. The first three stages of the race were held this year in Denmark. The reception was to take place on the royal yacht which is moored in Soenderborg, the city where the third stage ended.
The story continues under the ad
The shooting came a week after a mass shooting in neighboring Norway, where police said a Norwegian man of Iranian origin opened fire during an LGBTQ festival, killing two and injuring more than 20.
© 2022 The Associated Press