3 killed, 3 in critical condition after Copenhagen mall shooting
(Update 1: Adds details, changes headline, lede, rewrites and edits throughout)
Copenhagen, Jul 4 (EFE).- Three people were killed when a gunman opened fire in Field’s shopping mall in south Copenhagen on Sunday, police said.
Several more were wounded, three of which are in critical condition, the Danish capital’s police chief Søren Thomassen said.
“Those killed are a man in his forties, a young man and a young woman,” police said in a statement early Monday morning.
A 22-year-old Danish man was arrested and charged with manslaughter and will be questioned in front of a judge on Monday.
“At 17.37 o’clock / 5.37 pm we received reports regarding a shooting in the shopping center Field’s in Copenhagen. Copenhagen Police quickly arrived on the site where a 22-year-old male suspect was arrested,” police wrote on Twitter.
The suspect was apprehended with a rifle and ammunition at 5.48 pm local time.
A preliminary investigation indicated that the perpetrator acted alone, police said in the statement.
Thomassen said that police cannot yet confirm what the attacker’s motive was. Previously the police said that they could not rule out terrorism.
Earlier, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said that “Denmark was hit by a cruel attack on Sunday night. Several were killed. Even more wounded. Innocent families shopping or eating out. Children, adolescents and adults.”
“Our beautiful and usually so safe capital was changed in a split second,” she said. “I want to encourage the Danes to stand together and support each other in this difficult time.”
Denmark’s Queen Margrethe and Crown Prince Frederik said in a statement that their “thoughts and deepest sympathy are with the victims, their relatives and all those affected by the tragedy.”
“The situation calls for unity and care,” the royals added.
British singer Harry Styles was scheduled to hold a concert about 650 meters from the mall at the Royal Arena, but it was eventually canceled.
“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. H,” he wrote on Twitter.
Copenhagen police will hold a press briefing Monday morning at 8 am local time. EFE
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