Status after the Copenhagen shootings at Krudttønden and on Krystalgade: This affects us all

Yesterday, Saturday, February 14, 2015 at approximately 15:33 a perpetrator shot, with an automatic weapon, towards participants in a debate at the Culture House “Krudttønden” in the area of Østerbro in Copenhagen. A 55-year-old man was hit and killed, and three police officers were also hit, but all of them are out of critical danger, state the Copenhagen Police in a press release issued February 15, 2015.

The presumed perpetrator fled from the scene and gained access to a vehicle by threatening the vehicles’ occupants. The car was found later, at approximately 17:53 hours, abandoned on Borgervænget (near number 25). In this area, video surveillance was found showing a man who matched the description of the perpetrator of the shooting at the event at Krudttønden. The surveillance material from Kildevældsskolen (school) showed also that later on that evening the suspect spoke on a mobile phone, and that shortly after the telephone call he arrived in a taxi at the scene. By contacting the taxi company it was confirmed that a taxi had picked up the suspect in the area and had driven him to the area Mjølnerparken. In the following hours, the police thoroughly reviewed the video material from Mjølnerparken and late that evening it was confirmed that the perpetrator had arrived at the scene at approximately 16:15 and had left it again shortly after at 16:37. The building complex has been under observation by the police since 23:00 hours on Saturday evening.

Last night, at approx. 00:45 the perpetrator went to the Synagogue at Krystalgade, where police guards were established. The man suddenly fired shots towards the police personnel at the site and a guard that the Synagogue had hired to conduct access control in connection with a confirmation party in the parish house associated with the Synagogue. This guard was hit by a shot and died. Two of the officers present were also hit by shots but are not in critical danger. The police personnel shot at the perpetrator, who fled from the scene.

Copenhagen Police released this surveillance photo of the man of interest on February 14, 2015. (Photo courtesy: Copenhagen Police)

Copenhagen Police released this surveillance photo of the man of interest on February 14, 2015. (Photo courtesy: Copenhagen Police)

This morning at approximately 05:00 hours, the police personnel around Mjølnerparken became aware of a man who matched the description of the perpetrator of the shooting at the Synagogue at Krystalgade. The units that were in the area were notified, and a group form the Police’s Action Team noticed a person at Svanevej street, who matched the description. After shouting, the supsected perpetrator fired at the police, who then returned fire. At this moment the subject was killed. It is the understanding of Copenhagen Police that the killed person is the same person who shot both at Krudttønden and afterwards at the Synagogue. The subject was at this time in possession of two pistols, and was wearing clothing matching that which the perpetrator was wearing (according to the provided description) at the shooting at Krystalgade.

By searching the area around Mjølnerparken and Svanevej, the police found clothing and an automatic weapon, which could match those the perpetrator at Krudttønden was wearing and using. Technical examinations will establish whether this is the case.

The suspected perpetrator is identified. He is a young man, 22 years-of-age, born in Denmark, and is known by the police for several criminal acts concerning violation of the Danish weapons act and violence (among others). He is also known in connection to a gang.

The Copenhagen Police will continue to investigate these acts in close collaboration with the Danish Security and Intelligence Service. The investigation is focused on clarifying the suspected perpetrator’s actions before, during and after the shootings, as well as, the clarification of to what extent the perpetrator has received assistance from others.

The Copenhagen Police, together with the Danish National Police and the rest of the country’s police districts, already on Saturday implemented a raised security level in Copenhagen. This raised security level is being maintained until further notice with the intent of securing the greatest possible security for the citizens and visitors of Copenhagen.

Copenhagen Police are conducting, together with the Danish Security and Intelligence Service, a new assessment of the threat level in Copenhagen, in relation to the relevant events and arrangements that are already planned for the near future.

The Copenhagen Police do not have further information to add at this moment, but will return with further information when significant new information is available.

Statement from Commissioner of Police: We are working on high alert to ensure public safety

On Saturday, February 14 and the night of Sunday, February 15, there were two shooting attacks in Copenhagen. Two civilians were killed and five police officers were injured. The alleged offender shot last night at police, who responded to the shots, whereby the perpetrator was killed.

In connection with the shooting incidents in Copenhagen, National Police Commissioner Jens Henrik Højbjerg issued the following statement: “Yesterday’s and the nighttime attacks are investigated as terrorist attacks. It is a very serious situation, and the police are working hard and focused on ensuring public safety and security. I would like to express my deepest condolences to the two killed and their relatives. It is very unfortunate, and it affects us all. Our society is indeed characterized by a very high sense of security and confidence, and it is tragic that the two attacks mean that we are all equal now hit on our sense of security,” said National Police Commissioner Jens Henrik Hojbjerg.

He continues: “It touches me naturally deeply that there are five wounded policemen. My thoughts are with them and their families. All police are on heightened alert and are helping to solve the tasks in connection with the serious incidents. We have since the terrorist attacks in France and Belgium had an increased level of preparedness, and therefore we have been able to act quickly in relation to the two attacks,” says Hojbjerg.

Additional crew from other areas: The National Police have called in extra staff from the country’s police to assist the Copenhagen Police to solve the necessary investigative, surveillance and patrol-related tasks. In this context, the police are also in close contact with the police authorities in neighbor countries.

STORY IN DANISH:

Rigspolitichefen: Vi arbejder på højtryk for at sikre befolkningens tryghed

Lørdag den 14. februar og natten til søndag den 15. februar var der to skudattentater i København. To civilpersoner blev dræbt, mens fem polititjenestemænd blev såret. Den formodede gerningsmand skød sidst på natten mod politiet, som besvarede skuddene, hvorved gerningsmanden blev dræbt.

I forbindelse med det seneste døgns skudepisoder i København har rigspolitichef Jens Henrik Højbjerg følgende udtalelse:

”Gårsdagens og nattens attentater efterforskes som terroranslag. Det er en meget alvorlig situation, og politiet arbejder hårdt og målrettet på at sikre befolkningens tryghed og sikkerhed.

Jeg vil gerne udtrykke min dybeste medfølelse med de to dræbte og deres pårørende. Det er meget ulykkeligt, og det berører os alle. Vores samfund er jo kendetegnet ved en meget høj tryghedsfølelse og tillid, og det er tragisk, at de to attentater betyder, at vi alle sammen lige nu er ramt på vores tryghedsfølelse,” siger rigspolitichef Jens Henrik Højbjerg.

Han fortsætter:

“Det berører mig naturligvis også dybt, at der er fem sårede politifolk. Mine tanker går til dem og deres familier.

Alle landets politikredse er i forhøjet beredskab og bidrager til at få løst de opgaver, der er i forbindelse med de alvorlige hændelser.

Vi har siden terroranslagene i Frankrig og Belgien haft et øget beredskabsniveau, og derfor har vi været i stand til at handle hurtigt i forhold til de to attentater,” siger Jens Henrik Højbjerg.

Ekstra mandskab fra andre kredse

Rigspolitiet har indkaldt ekstra mandskab fra landets politikredse for at bistå København Politi med at løse de nødvendige efterforskningsmæssige, bevogtningsmæssige og patruljemæssige opgaver. I den forbindelse er politiet også i tæt kontakt med politimyndighederne i Danmarks nabolande.

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