Mass Shooting at Danish Conference Featuring Muhammad Cartoonist
The BBC is reporting that “up to forty shots” were reported at a Danish cafe just now, seemingly targeting a seminar on free speech and Islam.
The conference’s attendants included Swedish cartoonist Lars Vilks, a controversial figure who once drew the Prophet Muhammad as a dog. The shooters also attacked the police, and three officers were shot and wounded, though the extent of their injuries is unknown. A French ambassador tweeted that he was unharmed.
Sky News reports that one civilian has been killed.
Police have secured the area and are currently on the search for two gunmen.
Developing…
UPDATE (12:22 p.m.): The Telegraph reports that the French ambassador, identified as Francois Zimeray, told press that the terrorists were not able to enter the cafe.
“Intuitively I would say there were at least 50 gunshots, and the police here are saying 200,” he said.
“Bullets went through the doors and everyone threw themselves to the floor. We managed to flee the room, and now we’re staying inside because it’s still dangerous. The attackers haven’t been caught and they could very well still be in the neighbourhood.”
They also published this archival video of Vilks from 2010, in which he admitted his life was under constant threat (available on the site).
UPDATE – Feb 15 9:51 a.m. EST: The gunman has been shot and killed by Danish police Saturday night. Danish authorities said he was on their radar and may have been “inspired by militant Islamist propaganda issued by ISIS and other terror organizations.” He has not been identified.
UPDATE (12:27 p.m.): CNN has a report below.
UPDATE (1:27 p.m.): According to Helle Merete Brix, one of the organizers of the conference, the debate quickly continued soon after the shooting. As she told TV2 (via The Telegraph):
“People actually reacted very calmly, and the meeting continued. We could not get away, so we continued our discussion.
She said that she and the Swedish cartoonist hid in the cold store of the cultural centre.
“I was in a cold room and kept hold of Lars Vilks’ hand. He was very cool. We stood and told each other bad jokes. His bodyguards did a tremendous job. It is a dramatic and unpleasant reminder of what we are up against in these times.”
UPDATE (1:55 p.m.):Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt has officially labeled the shooting as a “terrorist attack,” and police are now treating the situation as one.
UPDATE (3:36 p.m.): Danish police now believe there is one gunman, and released a photo to Koebenhavns Politi of the suspect, taken shortly after he abandoned an escape vehicle.
Krudttønden: Fotoefterlysning! Hvem er denne mand? Ring 114. RT gerne. Tak. #politidk http://t.co/q4AS9A8eRR pic.twitter.com/I0hspYBwc5
— Københavns Politi (@KobenhavnPoliti) February 14, 2015
UPDATE (4:34 p.m.): Via the AP, raw video from the scene immediately after the shooting:
[BBC]
[Image via screenshot/ABC7]
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