The shooting took place outside a gay bar in downtown Oslo
Two people have been killed and at least 21 others wounded following a shooting in Oslo, Norway.
The shooting took place around 1am local time on Saturday morning (11pm Friday GMT) outside the London Pub gay bar in the downtown area of the Norweigan capital and city officials have confirmed that they are investigating it as an act of terrorism.
According to the BBC, a suspect has been arrested and charged with murder, attempted murder and terrorist acts, two weapons used in the shooting have been seized and various public events cancelled.
Local authorities have said the man arrested is a 42-year-old from Iran and is known to the police.
Speaking at the press conference, police officer Christian Hatlo says it is being investigated as a terror attack because the perpetrator’s intent was “to instill fear in people”.
The man is 42 years old and has previously been suspected of a stabbing in a nightclub. pic.twitter.com/yvlbV7p6H6
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) June 25, 2022
The shooting took place ahead of many festivities planned as part of the LGBTQ+ community’s Pride month celebrations, however, Oslo’s Pride parade has now been cancelled along with various other events following police guidance.
Norway’s Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Støre, has described the shooting as a “terrible and deeply shocking attack on innocent people”, reassuring his people that the country stands in solidarity with its LGBTQ+ community. The London Pub condemned the attacks as “absolutely horrific and pure evil”, urging people to “take care of each other during this time.”
Oslo Pride said in a statement on their Facebook page that they encourage anyone who planned on attending Pride events to not show up, reiterating that they have received “clear advice and recommendations from the police” that have effectively resulted in all “events related to Oslo Pride [being] cancelled”.
The group’s leader, Inger Kristin Haugsevje said: “We will follow the police’s recommendation and take care of each other. We are sending warm thoughts and love to next of kin, those who were wounded, and others affected.
“We will soon be proud and visible again, but today, we will share our Pride celebrations from home.”
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