Megan Huws
Police arrested a Danish man, known by psychiatric professionals, for killing three people and harming 27 others in a tragic display of gun violence in Field, a shopping centre in the Danish capital of Copenhagen.
The suspect killed two 17-year-old Danes, along with a 47-year-old Russian national in this act of violence. Seven more people suffered serious gunshot wounds.
A Danish court has charged the suspect with manslaughter. The court also put a ban on publishing the names of the suspect and the ten victims named in the charge.
This statement was released by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen late on Sunday night:
“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”
The Danish royal family also announced the cancellation of a reception to celebrate the Tour de France’s first three stages.
Many have praised the Danish police and government’s handling of the appalling event.
The police arrested the suspect 13 minutes after the first reports of the shooting, which occurred at 5:37 pm. In comparison to the recent mass shooting at the Uvalde school, the response by the Danish police was swift and controlled.
The police set up a phone line for the victims, and have arranged a location where eyewitnesses can get support and report their experiences to law enforcement officials.
The Harry Styles concert, which was set to occur in an arena less than one mile from the site of the shooting, was also cancelled. Those who planned to go to the concert, many of whom were teenagers, praised the handling of the situation. The police organised an escort to a train station and contacted the parents of young fans.
Harry Styles expressed his sorrow for the shooting and cancellation of his concert on Twitter:
I’m heartbroken along with the people of Copenhagen. I adore this city. The people are so warm and full of love.
— Harry Styles. (@Harry_Styles) July 3, 2022
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
In addition to the controlled handling of the situation by Danish police, Danish laws and regulations limit gun access for the public. The law does not guarantee the right to private gun ownership in Denmark. In 2019 alone there were 39,862 firearm deaths in the United States, compared with only 64 in Denmark. Restrictive regulations on guns will hopefully limit the frequency of tragic events like these in Denmark.
Featured image courtesy of Markus Winkler via Unsplash. Image license found here. No changes were made to this image.
