Last Updated on July 3, 2022
Multiple people were killed Sunday after a gunman opened fire at a popular shopping mall in Copenhagen, the capital city of Denmark.
Officers responded to the Field’s shopping center after reports of a shooting, Copenhagen Police said. Multiple people were struck by gunfire, though the extent of casualties were not yet known.
The Associated Press is now reporting that several people were killed, however. A number of others were wounded.
According to Copenhagen police inspector Søren Thomassen, a 22-year-old man was arrested and is the main suspect. Authorities believe he acted alone.
Danish broadcaster TV2 published a photo of the alleged gunman, who was wearing knee-length shorts and a tank top and holding what appeared to be a rifle in his right hand.
An additional video captured the suspect carrying a rifle just moments before the shooting. Police have asked anyone with video of the incident to contact law enforcement immediately.
Mass Shooting in Copenhagen Shopping Mall: Shots fired in Copenhagen mall, several victims: police : One arrested over Copenhagen shopping mall shooting: police pic.twitter.com/Mf5yRzi2re
— worldnews24u (@worldnews24u) July 3, 2022
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The shooting took place just across the street from a venue that was set to host a Harry Styles concert later tonight. The concert has since been cancelled. “My team and I pray for everyone involved in the Copenhagen shopping mall shooting. I am shocked,” Styles wrote in a Snapchat post.
“We have several dead and several injured,” Thomassen said, though he did not provide a specific casualty count.
Copenhagen Mayor Sophie H. Andersen tweeted: “Terrible reports of shooting in Fields. We do not yet know for sure how many were injured or dead, but it is very serious.”
Denmark has some of Europe’s strictest gun laws. Private gun owners must obtain a license that can only be granted by the Minister of Justice. In addition, license holders must obtain a separate permit for every individual firearm they own. They must also submit to extensive background checks that evaluate criminal history and mental health.