OSLO, Norway (AP) — A gunman opened fireplace in Oslo’s night-life district early Saturday, killing two individuals and leaving 10 significantly wounded in what police are investigating as a potential terrorist assault throughout the Norwegian capital’s annual Satisfaction pageant.
Investigators mentioned the suspect, recognized as a 42-year-old Norwegian citizen initially from Iran, was arrested after opening fireplace at three places in downtown Oslo.
Whereas the motive was unclear, organizers of Oslo Satisfaction canceled a parade that was set for Saturday because the spotlight of a weeklong pageant. One of many shootings occurred exterior the London Pub, a bar well-liked with the town’s LGBTQ group, simply hours earlier than the parade was set to start.
Police legal professional Christian Hatlo mentioned the suspect was being held on suspicion of homicide, tried homicide and terrorism, primarily based on the variety of individuals focused at a number of places.
“Our general evaluation is that there are grounds to imagine that he wished to trigger grave concern within the inhabitants,” Hatlo mentioned.
Hatlo mentioned the suspect’s psychological well being was additionally being investigated.
“We have to undergo his medical historical past, if he has any. It’s not one thing that we’re conscious of now,” he mentioned.
The shootings occurred round 1 a.m. native time, sending panicked revelers fleeing into the streets or attempting to cover from the gunman.
Olav Roenneberg, a journalist from Norwegian public broadcaster NRK, mentioned he witnessed the capturing.
“I noticed a person arrive on the web site with a bag. He picked up a weapon and began capturing,” Roenneberg informed NRK. “First I assumed it was an air gun. Then the glass of the bar subsequent door was shattered and I understood I needed to run for canopy.”
Police inspector Tore Soldal mentioned two of the capturing victims died and 10 individuals had been being handled for severe accidents, however none of them was believed to be life-threatening.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere mentioned in a Fb publish that “the capturing exterior London Pub in Oslo tonight was a merciless and deeply surprising assault on harmless individuals.”
He mentioned that whereas the motive was unclear, the capturing had brought about concern and grief within the LGBTQ group.
“All of us stand by you,” Gahr Stoere wrote.
Christian Bredeli, who was on the bar, informed Norwegian newspaper VG that he hid on the fourth flooring with a gaggle of about 10 individuals till he was informed it was protected to come back out.
“Many had been fearing for his or her lives,” he mentioned. “On our manner out we noticed a number of injured individuals, so we understood that one thing severe had occurred.”
Norwegian broadcaster TV2 confirmed footage of individuals operating down Oslo streets in panic as pictures rang out within the background.
Investigators mentioned the suspect was recognized to police, in addition to to Norway’s safety police, however not for any main violent crimes. His legal file included a narcotics offense and a weapons offense for carrying a knife, Hatlo mentioned.
Hatlo mentioned police seized two weapons after the assault: a handgun and an automated weapon, each of which he described as “not trendy” with out giving particulars.
He mentioned the suspect had not made any assertion to the police and was in touch with a protection lawyer.
Hatlo mentioned it was too early to say whether or not the gunman particularly focused members of the LGBTQ group.
“We've to look nearer at that, we don’t know but,” he mentioned.
Nonetheless, police suggested organizers of the Satisfaction pageant to cancel the parade Saturday.
“Oslo Satisfaction due to this fact urges everybody who deliberate to take part or watch the parade to not present up. All occasions in reference to Oslo Prides are canceled,” organizers mentioned on the official Fb web page of the occasion.
Norway has a comparatively low crime price however has skilled violent assaults by right-wing extremists, together with one of many worst mass shootings in Europe in 2011, when a gunman killed 69 individuals on the island of Utoya after setting off a bomb in Oslo that left eight useless.
In 2019, one other right-wing extremist killed his stepsister after which opened fireplace in a mosque however was overpowered earlier than anybody there was injured.
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Karl Ritter in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, contributed to this report.
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