Gunman Who Attacked Danish Conference, Synagogue Identified

Danish authorities media outlets have released the name of Omar El-Hussein, a Danish citizen whom they believe killed two in separate attacks on a conference and a synagogue in Copenhagen Saturday. El-Hussein was fatally shot by police later last night after a shootout by a train station.

The first shooting occurred Saturday afternoon at a free speech conference attended by Lars Vilks, a cartoonist who has drawn provocative caricatures of the Islamic prophet Muhammed. One person was killed at the conference. Another person was killed hours later outside a nearby synagogue. Five police officers were wounded.

Authorities say El-Hussein had a record of arrests for violent behavior, and suspect him of trying to copy the Charlie Hebdo shooting from last month that left twelve dead at the satirical magazine. While stating that El-Hussein may have been inspired by jihadist rhetoric, authorities said they have no evidence he traveled abroad to an al Qaida or related training camp.

At this point police believe El-Hussein acted alone.

[h/t SkyNews]

[Image via screengrab]

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