Copenhagen Mall Shooting Leaves "Several Dead" and Injured; 22-Year-Old Suspect Arrested in Potential Terror Attack

Danish police have detained a 22-year-old man in connection with a fatal shooting at a retail center in Copenhagen. According to police head Soeren Thomassen, the reason is unknown, but he cannot rule out an act of terrorism.

Thomassen said multiple individuals were murdered in the incident on Sunday, but it was too early to disclose specific statistics. Witnesses reported fear among consumers when gunfire sounded out inside the Field's mall in the city's south.

Several Shot Dead in Copenhagen Mall

At a press conference on Sunday evening, Thomassen stated that it was too early to determine how many individuals were injured in the incident. However, he informed reporters that there was no evidence of more assailants being involved and advised store owners to save any video surveillance material they may have.

Field's is believed to be Denmark's largest shopping center, with over 140 stores and eateries. The multi-story shopping center is located on the outskirts of Copenhagen, directly across from a metro line that links to the city center. A concert by British singer Harry Styles at a venue less than a mile from the site has been canceled, BBC reported.

Photos from the incident showed people fleeing the mall, while Denmark's TV2 broadcaster released a shot of police officer Laurits Hermansen telling Danish television DR that he was at a clothes store with his family at the shopping mall when he heard "three-four bangs. Bangs that are really loud. The rounds sounded like they were fired just close to the business."

"Terrible reports of gunshot in Fields. We do not yet know how many people were hurt or killed, but the situation is grave," Copenhagen Mayor Sophie H. Andersen tweeted.

The gunshot was originally reported to police at 5:36 pm time zone. A large number of heavily armed police officers came on the scene, along with many fire department cars positioned outside the mall.

Events Canceled Following the Denmark Mall Shooting

On Sunday, former One Direction member Harry Styles was set to perform at the adjacent Royal Arena. It was uncertain whether or not the concert would take place. The royal palace said shortly after the shooting that a reception with Crown Prince Frederik related to the Tour de France cycle competition had also been canceled.

The first three stages of the race were staged in Denmark this year, according to a statement from the palace. The reception was scheduled to take place aboard the royal boat, which is docked in Soenderborg, where the third stage concluded, as per USA Today.

Police did not specify the number of victims, and a representative for the capital's major hospital, Rigshospitalet, said it had received a small group of patients for treatment. According to the spokeswoman, it had called in more personnel, including surgeons and nurses.

Danish network TV2 aired a shot of a guy being carried on a stretcher, as well as a blurry image of the suspected gunman, who was dressed in knee-length shorts and a tank top and clutching what looked to be a weapon in his right hand. The retail mall, one of the largest of its sort in Scandinavia, is located in Orestad, a neighborhood on the island of Amager, south of Denmark's capital city.

The police department urged Copenhagen residents and anyone who visited the retail center on Sunday to call their family to let them know they were safe. The attack occurred less than a week after a mass shooting in neighboring Norway, when police claimed a man opened fire during an LGBT+ celebration, killing two people and injuring more than 20 others.

According to the most recent Danish Security and Intelligence Service assessment, the terrorist danger to Denmark is now considered significant, with militant Islamism being the greatest concern. Right-wing radicals pose a broad threat to Denmark, implying they have the capacity, motive, and possibly preparation.

The latest terrorist assault in Denmark occurred in 2015 when a lone shooter shot and murdered a man outside a culture center sponsoring a debate on free speech and then killed another person outside a synagogue in downtown Copenhagen. In a shootout with police, that shooter was killed, as per Independent.