3 dead in Copenhagen mall shooting

EuroActiv Politico News

Three people were killed and three others critically injured during a shooting Sunday at a mall in Copenhagen.

Police said they first received reports of the gunfire at around 5:35 p.m. at the Fields shopping center and about 13 minutes later arrested a 22-year-old suspect, whom they described as “ethnically Danish,” according to the Local Denmark and other media outlets. Copenhagen police inspector Søren Thomassen said it was too early to speculate about the motive behind the attack, but that officials believe the suspect acted alone.

“Our preliminary investigation continues to indicate that the perpetrator acted on his own. We are in the process of a massive and very extensive investigation, which will continue throughout the night and in the coming days, ” Thomassen said in a statement.

Those killed are a man in his 40s, a young man and a young woman. Police said they are seeking information from any witnesses and anyone who may have filmed the shooting.

“We have all been brutally ripped out of the bright summer that we had just started. This is beyond comprehension. Heartbreaking. Meaningless,” Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said in a statement, offering condolences to those whose loved ones died or were injured. “Our beautiful and usually so safe capital was changed in a split second.”

A concert by Harry Styles scheduled for Sunday at a nearby event venue was canceled, with the British singer writing on Twitter: “I’m heartbroken along with the people of Copenhagen. I adore this city. The people are so warm and full of love. I’m devastated for the victims, their families, and everyone hurting. I’m sorry we couldn’t be together. Please look after each other.”