Police have charged a 37-year-old Danish citizen after a man killed five people and injured two others with a bow and arrow in the Norwegian town of Kongsberg on Wednesday.
Why it matters: The attack, southwest of the capital of Oslo, is the deadliest in Norway since 2011, when a far-right extremist went on a shooting rampage and killed 77 people.
The big picture: The suspect, who lives in Kongsberg, was taken into custody soon after the attack and transported to the nearby town of Drammen, according to a police statement. Police did not immediately disclose what he’s been charged with.
- The attacks happened over a large area of the town, according to The Guardian. Several parts of the town have been temporarily cordoned off by police , per the BBC.
- Police believe the man acted alone but will investigate whether the attack constituted terrorism, as they seek to determine a motive.
- Police are also investigating whether other weapons were used, per Reuters.
Of note: Police were temporarily ordered to carry firearms in the wake of the attack, breaking with the norm as Norwegian police are typically unarmed, the New York Times noted.
- “The police currently have no concrete indications that there is a change in the threat level in the country,” the police directorate said in a statement.
What they’re saying: “The reports coming from Kongsberg tonight are horrifying,” Prime Minister Erna Solberg told a news conference, per Reuters.
- “I understand that many people are afraid, but it’s important to emphasize that the police are now in control,” she added.
Editor’s note: This article has been updated
Police have charged a 37-year-old Danish citizen after a man killed five people and injured two others with a bow and arrow in the Norwegian town of Kongsberg on Wednesday.Why it matters: The attack, southwest of the capital of Oslo, is the deadliest in Norway since 2011, when a far-right extremist went on a shooting rampage and killed 77 people.The big picture: The suspect, who lives in Kongsberg, was taken into custody soon after the attack and transported to the nearby town of Drammen, according to a police statement. Police did not immediately disclose what he’s been charged with.The attacks happened over a large area of the town, according to The Guardian. Several parts of the town have been temporarily cordoned off by police , per the BBC.Police believe the man acted alone but will investigate whether the attack constituted terrorism, as they seek to determine a motive. Police are also investigating whether other weapons were used, per Reuters.Of note: Police were temporarily ordered to carry firearms in the wake of the attack, breaking with the norm as Norwegian police are typically unarmed, the New York Times noted. “The police currently have no concrete indications that there is a change in the threat level in the country,” the police directorate said in a statement.What they’re saying: “The reports coming from Kongsberg tonight are horrifying,” Prime Minister Erna Solberg told a news conference, per Reuters. “I understand that many people are afraid, but it’s important to emphasize that the police are now in control,” she added. Editor’s note: This article has been updated