On Monday, the Copenhagen Police department announced in a Twitter post that a court had remanded the suspect to a psychiatric care facility. Authorities have also reported the suspected gunman was known to the mental health service system in Denmark, and officials said they do not believe the suspect’s motive was terrorism.
The suspect allegedly opened fire at 5:35 p.m. local time at Field’s mall in Copenhagen in an almost 15-minute rampage before he was arrested. The alleged shooter’s name has been not released and authorities have only identified him as a 22-year-old Danish man.
According to the Associated Press, Copenhagen police inspector Søren Thomassen told reporters that a 17-year-old male from Denmark, a 17-year-old from Denmark and a 47-year-old man with Russian citizenship who was living in Denmark, were killed in the attack. Four other people were injured, including a 16-year-old girl.
Thomassen said there was no indication that anyone else was involved in the attack and that the victims appeared to be random.
Gun violence is rare in Denmark, where civilians are not allowed to own fully-automatic firearms and semi-automatic weapons and handguns are only allowed with special authorization. Danish citizens wishing to be licensed gun owners are required to demonstrate a genuine reason to possess a firearm, such as for collection or hunting. They also must be at least 18 years old and have to pass a background check that includes a criminal and mental health records check.
Local media outlets have reported the suspected gunman had posted a statement online before the attack saying anti-psychotic medication “does not work.” He also reportedly posted videos on social media on Saturday in which he posed with guns, according to Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet.
The shopping mall shooting took place as Denmark celebrated hosting the first three stages of the Tour de France for the first time.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen denounced the act of violence.
“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,” Frederiksen said in a statement. “I want to encourage the Danes to stand together and support each other in this difficult time.”
