A mass shooting in Oslo, Norway, resulted in two deaths and 19 injuries after an attack carried out outside two bars in the city’s district for LBGTQ+ nightlife.
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Witnesses said they saw a man arrive at the scene with a bag and started shooting moments later. However, police captured the suspect, believing he didn’t act alone, as reported by TMZ. The alleged shooter was not identified, and a motive has yet to be determined by investigators.
“When I walked into Cesar’s bar, there were a lot of people starting to run, and there was a lot of screaming. I thought it was a fight out there, so I pulled out. But then I heard that it was a shooting and that someone was shooting with a submachine gun,” Marcus Nybakken told Norwegian broadcaster TV2.
A parade was scheduled to occur on Saturday as the beginning of celebrating Pride Month for a 10-day festival, but officials canceled the event due to the deadly shooting.
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#Breaking: Just in – Reports of a mass shooting in #Oslo, #Norway, near or possible inside a night club. pic.twitter.com/DRcn0zgI4W
— Sotiri Dimpinoudis (@sotiridi) June 24, 2022
Police attorney Christian Hatlo said the alleged shooter would be charged with murder, attempted murder, and terrorism.
“Our overall assessment is that there are grounds to believe that he wanted to cause grave fear in the population.”
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere released a statement, calling the shooting a “cruel and deeply shocking attack on innocent people.” Norway’s Royal Family also released an account and offered their condolences to the victims’ families.
“We sympathize with all relatives and affected and send warm thoughts to all who are now scared, restless and in grief . We must stand together to defend our values: freedom, diversity and respect for each other. We must continue to stand up for all people to feel safe.”
The scheduled celebrations were to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Norway decriminalizing homosexuality nationwide.
Todays celebrations were supposed to mark – 50 years since homisexuality no longer got criminalized in Norway … a little over an hour ago there was a shooting outside of a famous gay bar in oslo..this is why we need pride #Oslo #PrideMonth
— nino (@Ninokoo1) June 25, 2022
After an attack on a gay bar in Oslo last night, Pride was officially cancelled but people spontaneously gathered and marched to the bar to leave flowers. Seeing people crying, cheering and being courageous to go to the streets is the most beautiful thing I witnessed. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/RSGAqOidJe
— m 🏳️🌈 (@formulamaja) June 25, 2022
Worst thing is coming home to my sister saying she had to escape a shooting at one of the biggest gay clubs in Oslo. Thankfully she and her friends are all safe. It quite clear what the motive was and my thoughts and prayers go out to the two victims and their families 💔 https://t.co/U3ISaDjpKu
— NATE⁷ ⚡️ (@milfingah) June 25, 2022