Copenhagen shooting - live: Police say Denmark mall attack ‘not terror’ as three dead

Three people have been killed and four others are in a critical condition after a gunman opened fire at a crowded shopping centre in Denmark’s Copenhagen.

Gunshots were heard at around 5.30pm local time at the Field’s mall on Sunday afternoon, leading shoppers to flee or hide in stores.

Police say that a 22-year-old Danish man has been arrested in connection with the shooting, and that there is no evidence to suggest it was an act of terror.

Police inspector Soren Thomassen added that there is no indication that the suspect has worked with others or received help from others.

Police said that the three killed include a 17-year-old Danish man, a 17-year-old Danish woman and a 47-year-old man.

The four wounded include two Danish citizens as well as two Swedish citizens.

“We have all been brutally ripped from the bright summer that had just begun. It is incomprehensible. Heartbreaking. Meaningless,” said prime minister Mette Frederiksen in a late night statement on Sunday.

“Our beautiful and usually so safe capital was changed in a split second.”

Key points

• 3 killed, 4 critically injured after shooting in Copenhagen mall

• 22-year-old Danish man arrested, police say

• Police say Copenhagen mall shooting not 'an act of terror'

• Copenhagen mall shooter acted alone, police say

• Eyewitnesses describe shooting as 'pure terror'

• 'Beautiful and safe capital changed in a split second,' says PM

Police run towards Copenhagen mall after gunman opens fire on shoppers

11:00 , Joe Middleton

Suspected Copenhagen shooter strolls through shopping mall with rifle

10:35 , Joe Middleton

Chilling footage appears to capture the moment an alleged gunman strolled through a shopping mall in Denmark with a rifle on his shoulder.

Three people were killed during a shooting at Copenhagen‘s Field’s centre on Sunday (3 July), while four others are in hospital with critical injuries.

A 22-year-old man, described as “an ethnic Dane”, was arrested minutes after opening fire.

Police have said there is no indication of a terror motive, but refused to comment on the gunman’s identity beyond confirming his ethnicity and age.

Suspected Copenhagen shooter strolls through shopping mall with rifle

Harry Styles ‘heartbroken’ and ‘devastated’ over shooting

10:20 , Joe Middleton

Harry Styles said he was “heartbroken” and “devastated” over the shooting at a shopping mall in Copenhagen on Sunday, after he cancelled a concert scheduled to take place in the city.

The “Sign of the Times” and “Watermelon Sugar” singer had been due to perform at Copenhagen‘s Royal Arena on Sunday as part of his tour, “Love On Tour”.

“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,” Styles wrote on Twitter.

“I’m sorry we couldn’t be together. Please look after each other.”

Video: Gunman kills three in Copenhagen mall

10:00 , Sravasti Dasgupta

A gunman killed at least three people after opening fire in a Copenhagen shopping mall on Sunday.

The shooting took place in the Field’s shopping centre, one of the largest malls in Scandinavia.

Watch:

Gunman kills three after opening fire at Copenhagen shopping centre

Nordic neighbours send messages of support

09:45 , Sravasti Dasgupta

Officials from Sweden, Norway and Finland have issued statements after the shooting in Copenhagen on Sunday.

Sweden’s prime minister, Magdalena Andersson, said that help has been offered to Denmark, according to the Swedish news agency TT.

Jonas Gahr Støre, the prime minister of Norway, said: “In such dramatic hours, we are extra close in the Nordics.

“Both the Minister of Foreign Affairs and I have conveyed to our colleagues that if there is anything Norway can contribute, then we are ready,” he was quoted as saying to news agency NTB.

And Finland’s prime minister Sanna Marin said she was very “sad to hear about the shocking act of violence”, reported AFP.

Footage shows gunman strolling in Copenhagen mall

09:30 , Sravasti Dasgupta

Chilling footage has emerged of a gunman strolling around a Copenhagen shopping centre with a rifle over his shoulder before killing three people.

Mobile phone footage captured inside the shopping centre shows the alleged gunman wearing knee-length shorts, a dark sleeveless shirt and holding what appears to be a rifle in his right hand.

Chiara Giordano reports:

Copenhagen gunman filmed carrying rifle over shoulder before killing three people

Shopping centres' association holds emergency meeting

09:15 , Sravasti Dasgupta

A meeting is being held by Danish shopping centres after Sunday’s shooting at the Field’s mall in Copenhagen.

The meeting started on Monday morning, confirmed Danske Shoppingcentre to TV2 East Jutland.

Denmark has one of the strictest gun laws in the world

09:00 , Sravasti Dasgupta

In Denmark, only licensed gun owners can lawfully acquire, possess or transfer a firearm or ammunition, according to Gunpolicy.org.

The right to private gun ownership is not guaranteed by law in the country.

Civilians are not allowed to possess automatic firearms, firearms disguised as other objects, impact, shock, electric, spray, and laser weapons, armour-piercing, incendiary and expanding ammunition.

Private possession of fully automatic weapons is prohibited.

Applicants for a gun owner’s licence are required to establish a genuine reason to possess a firearm, for example hunting, target shooting, collection.

An applicant for a firearm licence must pass a background check which considers criminal and mental health records.

Authorities maintain a record of individual civilians licensed to acquire, possess, sell or transfer a firearm or ammunition.

The maximum penalty for unlawful possession of a firearm is four months to two years in prison.

Copenhagen shooting deadliest since 2015

08:45 , Sravasti Dasgupta

Denmark last saw a major shooting in 2015 when a 22-year-old with a background in criminal gangs opened fire through the windows of the Krudttoenden cultural centre during a freedom of speech event on 15 February.

A man-hunt had already begun when the second shooting occurred after midnight at a Synagogue in the Krystalgade area of the city.

The attack left a Jewish man dead while two police officers were shot in the arm and leg, with the gunman fleeing on foot.

The suspected gunman was subsequently killed in a firefight with the police.

Suspected gunman had history of mental illness

08:30 , Sravasti Dasgupta

The 22-year-old suspect arrested in connection with Sunday’s shooting at a Copenhagen mall has a history of mental illness, police said on Monday.

“Our suspect is also known among psychiatric services, beyond that I do not wish to comment,” chief inspector Soren Thomassen said at a news conference.

Copenhagen shooting suspect did not have gun permit

08:00 , Sravasti Dasgupta

Police said that the 22-year-old suspect who has been arrested in connection with the shooting at Field’s shopping centre did not have a gun permit.

Investigators believe that there was some form of prior consideration and preparation for the attack but refused to comment on the gunman’s motive.

Chief police inspector Søren Thomassen said that whether the motive was revenge or something else can only be commented on later.

Police revise number of critically wounded to four

07:45 , Sravasti Dasgupta

Copenhagen police have released more details of the victims of the shooting at Field’s shopping centre.

At a press conference on Monday morning, chief police inspector Søren Thomassen said that the three killed include a 17-year-old Danish man, a 17-year-old Danish woman and a 47-year-old man.

Police also said that four people have been critically injured in the shooting, revising up this number from three.

This includes two Danish women aged 40 and 19 respectively.

In addition two Swedish citizens – a 50-year-old man and a 16-year-old woman – were also injured and are receiving treatment at hospital.

All four were described as being in critical but stable condition.

Police say mall attack 'not an act of terror'

07:38 , Sravasti Dasgupta

Copenhagen police have said that there is evidence to suggest that the shooting at Field’s shopping centre was an act of terror.

Chief inspector Søren Thomassen said at a news conference that there is nothing in the investigation, documents or testimony that can substantiate that it was a terror attack.

He added that there is no indication that the suspect has worked with others or received help from others.

Scenes of panic at Copenhagen shopping centre

07:26 , Sravasti Dasgupta

Three people were killed and three others critically injured after a gunman opened fire at a crowded shopping centre in Copenhagen.

Images show moments of panic as shoppers scramble to leave the mall.

Eyewitness shares photograph of alleged gunman

07:07 , Sravasti Dasgupta

An eyewitness named Mahdi Al-Wazni was in the Field’s mall on Sunday when a 22-year-old gunman opened fire in the crowded shopping centre.

Mr Al-Wazni shared photos of the attacker with Danish broadcaster TV2.

“He seemed very violent and angry,” Mr Al-Wazni was quoted as saying.

He said that he had contact with the attacker for about a minute before he went in another direction.

He managed to take a photograph as well as video.

“He spoke directly to me and said it was not real while I was filming him,” he said.

“He seemed very proud of what he did.”

Arrest was 'undramatic', police say

06:45 , Sravasti Dasgupta

Copenhagen police said that the 22-year-old man who has been arrested in connection with the shooting at Field’s shopping centre was taken into custody in an “undramatic” manner.

The man was found near a motorway near Field’s, according to the police, around 11 minutes after officers were first alerted to the unfolding attack.

He was arrested with a rifle and ammunition on him at 5.48pm local time on Sunday.Police said that it is possible that he may have had other weapons.

The suspect has been charged with manslaughter but police anticipate that there may be more charges.

Gunman's racist motive not substantiated, police say

06:30 , Sravasti Dasgupta

Police inspector Søren Thomassen said that while there are theories on social media that there could be a racist motive behind Sunday’s shooting, no evidence has been found to support this claim.

“But it can come,” he added.

Mr Thomassen said that the suspect is known to the police, but only peripherally.

Harry Styles cancels Copenhagen concert

06:15 , Sravasti Dasgupta

Pop star Harry Styles has cancelled his concert in Copenhagen which was scheduled to take place at a venue close to where Sunday’s shooting took place.

“I’m heartbroken along with the people of Copenhagen. I adore this city. The people are so warm and full of love,” he said in a tweet.

“I’m devastated for the victims, their families, and everyone hurting. I’m sorry we couldn’t be together. Please look after each other.”

Styles was due to perform at the Royal Arena.

Copenhagen shooting shows gun laws don't stop shootings, Lauren Boebert says

06:00 , Sravasti Dasgupta

US Congresswoman Lauren Boebert said that the shooting at a Copenhagen mall on Sunday shows that strict gun laws don’t stop shootings.

In a tweet Ms Boebert said: “There was just a mass shooting in Denmark, a country with some of the strictest gun laws in Europe. It’s time to admit that gun laws DO NOT stop mass shootings!”

2 men and a woman victims of Copenhagen shooting, police say

05:45 , Sravasti Dasgupta

Copenhagen police have announced that the victims of Sunday’s shooting include a man in his forties and a young man and a young woman.

In a statement police said that efforts are underway to identify the victims and inform their families.

“Our preliminary investigation continues to indicate that the perpetrator acted on his own. We are in the process of a massive and very extensive investigation, which will continue throughout the night and in the coming days,” Chief Police Inspector Søren Thomassen said.

Field's to remain closed for a week

05:30 , Sravasti Dasgupta

Field’s shopping centre, where Sunday’s shooting took place, will be closed for a week.

In a statement on its website, the mall stated that it will remain closed till 11 July.

“Tonight we are in a completely extraordinary tragic situation, as up to several people have been killed and wounded by gunfire in Field’s. One perpetrator has been arrested and police are massively present at and around the centre.

“Our thoughts are with the victims of this horrific incident and their relatives as well as all the staff at Field’s and the many customers who visited Field’s today.”Police are still investigating this senseless incident and we are awaiting their instructions.”

The statement added that mall employees are being offered professional help to cope with the shooting.

Shoppers hid behind counters as gunman opened fire in Copenhagen mall

05:15 , Sravasti Dasgupta

Witnesses have described throwing themselves behind shop counters and crowding into cramped hiding spaces fearing for their lives after a gunman opened fire in a busy shopping centre in Copenhagen on Sunday.

An eyewitness, Rikke Levandovski said to Danish tabloid BT that “people first thought it was a thief.”

“Then I suddenly hear shots and threw myself behind the counter inside the store.”

Another eyewitness, a woman named Isabella told Danish public broadcaster DR that she ran to the toilet after she heard gunshots.

“My friend and I ... suddenly we hear shots. I hear about ten shots and then run as fast as we can into a toilet. We squeeze into this tiny toilet where we are around 11 people,” she was quoted as saying.

Andy Gregory reports:

Shoppers hid counters in ‘pure terror’ as Copenhagen gunman opened fire in mall

22-year-old Danish man arrested, police say

05:00 , Sravasti Dasgupta

A 22-year-old Danish man has been arrested in connection with Sunday’s shooting at Field’s shopping centre in Copenhagen.

“We do not have information that others are involved. This is what we know now,” police inspector Soren Thomassen said at a press conference.

He added that while it was too early to speculate on the gunman’s motive, the police could not rule out the possibility that it was an “act of terrorism”.

Three killed in Copenhagen mall shooting

04:44 , Sravasti Dasgupta

Three people have been killed and three others are in a critical condition after a gunman opened fire on crowds at Field’s shopping centre in Copenhagen.

Police inspector Soren Thomassen told a news conference that a man in his 40s and “two young people” were killed and several others were injured.

Gunshots were heard at the crowded mall at around 5.30pm local time.

Andy Gregory has more:

Three dead in Copenhagen after gunman opens fire on shoppers in busy mall

04:27 , Sravasti Dasgupta

Welcome to The Independent’s live blog on the shooting at a mall in Copenhagen