Danish police say that a 40-year-old man has been killed and three police officers wounded after a shooting at an event promoting free speech, which took place at a cafe in Copenhagen.
Controversial artist Lars Vilks, who attracted death threats in 2007 after drawing a cartoon of the prophet Muhammad, was present at the event, but was unharmed.
Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt has describe the shooting, in which 200 bullets were fired into Copenhagen’s Krudttoenden cafe, as a terrorist attack, and the nation is on high alert.
Police release photo of suspect in Denmark shooting: @KobenhavnPoliti #Krudttønden http://t.co/EDPchKrtwf pic.twitter.com/opBz37aN46
— David Clinch (@DavidClinchNews) February 14, 2015
The gunman, thought to be aged between 25 and 30 and wearing a black parka and maroon balaclava, fled in a dark-coloured Volkswagen Polo, which was found abandoned several hours after the attack.
France’s ambassador to Denmark, Francois Zimeray, was present at the event, called ‘Art, Blasphemy and Freedom of Expression’, but was unhurt in the attack.
He has since said he believes that the shooter had the “same intention” as those who opened fire at the offices of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in January.
Inna Shevchenko, of the Ukrainian feminist group Femen, was also present, and urged people not to be afraid.
Let’s NOT be scared! Let’s fully enjoy our freedom. This is the best weapon agsinst extremists.
— inna shevchenko (@femeninna) February 14, 2015
The suspect in yesterday’s shooting remains at large.
via News Limited
Photo: AFP / Getty Images
Photo: AFP / Getty Images
