Several dead in Copenhagen mall shooting; suspect arrested

COPENHAGEN, Denmark — A gunman opened fireplace inside a busy shopping center within the Danish capital on Sunday, killing a number of individuals and wounding a number of others, police mentioned.

A 22-year-old Danish man was arrested, Copenhagen police inspector Søren Thomassen advised reporters, including there was no indication that anybody else was concerned within the assault, although police had been nonetheless investigating.

Such shootings are uncommon in Denmark. Thomassen mentioned it was too early to take a position on the motive for the capturing, which occurred within the late afternoon at Discipline’s, one of many largest procuring malls in Scandinavia and situated on the outskirts of the Danish capital. When the pictures rang out, some individuals hid in outlets whereas others fled in a panicked stampede, in keeping with witnesses.

“It’s pure terror. That is terrible,” mentioned Hans Christian Stoltz, a 53-year-old IT marketing consultant, who was bringing his daughters to see Harry Types carry out at live performance scheduled for Sunday evening close to the mall. “You may surprise how an individual can do that to a different human being, but it surely’s past … past something that’s attainable.”

Thomassen gave no particular casualty depend past saying a number of individuals had been lifeless and a number of other wounded. He mentioned the suspect was an “ethnic Dane,” a phrase usually used to imply somebody is white.

Danish broadcaster TV2 revealed a grainy picture of the alleged gunman, a person carrying knee-length shorts and a tank high and holding what gave the impression to be a rifle in his proper hand.

Copenhagen Mayor Sophie H. Andersen tweeted: “Horrible experiences of capturing in Fields. We don’t but know for certain what number of had been injured or lifeless, however it is vitally critical.”

Pictures from the scene confirmed individuals working out of the mall, and TV2 posted a photograph of a person being placed on a stretcher. After the capturing, an unlimited contingent heavily-armed cops patrolled the world, with a number of fireplace division automobiles additionally parked outdoors the mall.

Laurits Hermansen advised Danish broadcaster DR that he was in a clothes retailer on the procuring heart together with his household when he heard “three, 4 bangs. Actually loud bangs. It sounded just like the pictures had been being fired simply subsequent to the shop.”

The procuring heart is on the outskirts of Copenhagen simply throughout from a subway station for a line that connects town heart with the worldwide airport. A significant freeway additionally runs adjoining to the mall.

Danish media reported that the Harry Types live performance, scheduled on the close by Royal Area, was referred to as off.

On Snapchat, Types wrote: “My group and I pray for everybody concerned within the Copenhagen shopping center capturing. I’m shocked. Love H.”

Shortly after the capturing, the royal palace mentioned a reception with Crown Prince Frederik related to the Tour de France biking race had been canceled. The primary three phases of the race had been held in Denmark this yr. The reception was as a result of be held on the royal yacht that’s moored in Soenderborg, the city the place the third stage ended.

The capturing got here per week after a mass capturing in neighboring Norway, the place police mentioned a Norwegian man of Iranian origin opened fireplace throughout a LGBTQ pageant, killing two and wounding greater than 20.

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Ritter reported from Unterseen, Switzerland.