Mass shooting at Oslo bar treated as terrorist attack

Copenhagen, Jun 25 (EFE).- Oslo police said Saturday investigations into several shootings at three locations in the Norwegian capital were being treated as a terrorist attack.

The shootings took place at a gay club where two people died and 21 were injured, 10 of them seriously wounded, and on nearby streets.

The attacker was arrested near the scene of the shooting and has been identified as a Norwegian citizen of Iranian origin, who was already known to the law enforcement, chief of police Christian Hatlo told reporters.

Hatlo added the suspect had been charged with murder and attempted murder and terrorist acts. Two weapons were seized at the time of the arrest, the official added.

“There are reasons to believe that it is a hate crime. It is one of the hypotheses,” Hatlo said.

The attack came hours before the city’s Pride parade but celebrations have been canceled on the advice and recommendation of the police, organizers said in a statement.

“Oslo Pride has received clear advice and a recommendation from the police that the parade, Pride Park, and any other event in relation to Oslo Pride be canceled,” the statement read.

“Oslo Pride therefore implores anyone who had planned to participate in or watch the parade, not to show up,” the organizers added.

“We are sending warm thoughts and love to next of kin, those who were wounded, and others affected,” the statement continued. “We will soon be proud and visible again, but today, we will share our Pride celebrations from home.”

The attack took place at the London pub, where the assailant opened fire both inside and outside the premises. The pub is a well-known meeting point for Oslo’s gay community.

The Minister of Culture and Equality, Anette Trettebergstuen, described the attack as a “cruel attack on innocent people regardless of motive.”

“I want to express my deepest sympathy with those who have been affected and their relatives,” the minister added. “Many queers are now scared, but you are not alone, we stand together in this.”

The president of the Norwegian Parliament, Masud Gharahkhani, expressed his shock on Twitter that “something so brutal and terrible can happen.”

“People were in town to holiday diversity and love. Take care of each other,” Gharahkhani said.EFE

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