After a shooting in the center of Norway’s capital, Oslo, a 42-year-old man was arrested and charged with murder, attempted murder, and terrorist acts. The attack happened in a busy nightlife district, killing two people and injuring 21 others.
On Saturday, around 01:00 local time (23:00 GMT), there was gunfire in three locations, including a gay bar. Shots were fired near the Herr Nilsen jazz club and a takeaway near the London Pub, a popular LGBTQ+ venue.
The annual Pride parade in Oslo was scheduled for Saturday but has been cancelled due to police advice. “We will be proud and recognizable again soon, but for the time being, we will embrace Pride from home,” according to a comment on the Oslo Pride website. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere described the attack as a “terrible and deeply shocking attack on innocent people.”
NRK journalist Olav Roenneberg mentioned that he saw a man arrive with a bag, he picked up a gun, and started shooting,”
People who witness the fatal Oslo attack
According to one witness in a London pub, he was hit by a flying glass. “When it happened, I was in an outer London bar. I had just noticed that a shot had been fired, and I had been hit by a shard of glass. There were more and more shots, so I went into the inner bar and tried to bring as many as I could with me” he said.
At first, no one understood what was going on, but then there was panic. The London Pub team described the shooting as “absolutely horrific and pure evil” in a Facebook post.
The post further added, “Our thoughts are with the deceased, injured, and their families.” Also, all the employees are physically unharmed and they are safe. People should take care of one another during this difficult time.”
According to a woman who spoke to the Verdens Gang newspaper, the gunman took precise aim at his targets. When she realized it was serious, and she bolted. A man covered in blood lay motionless on the floor” she mentioned. Another witness told the newspaper that he saw many people on the ground with head wounds.
The incident, according to Norway’s Justice Minister Emilie Enger Mehl, has shaken the country. “Norway is a trusting community where everyone should feel safe outside on a Saturday night,” she told NRK.
