By Tommy Hansen
COPENHAGEN
Following the shootings in Copenhagen Saturday and Sunday morning where a total of three people have died and five were wounded, the Danish prime minister now openly labels the events as a “cold-blooded act of terror against Denmark.”
At a joint press meeting with the Danish Minister of Justice, Mette Frederiksen on Sunday, Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt said: “ No one should get away with attacking the open, free and democratic Danish society.”
She also stressed that the events in no way should be regarded as a “war between Islam and the West.”
“We, as a nation, have lived through some distressing hours which we will never forget. We have felt the ugly taste of fear and helplessness that the terrorist wants us to, but we also have the answer. It is time to unite against the terrorist and stand firmly on our right to be who we are and our freedom of speech,” said Thorning-Schmidt.
“Yesterday and through the night, police acted quickly and with determination to secure our citizens. I am happy and relieved that the police have neutralized the alleged perpetrator behind the two shootings. I encourage everyone to follow police instructions and be vigilant,” she said.
The attacks in Copenhagen were two incidents of spree shootings, starting in the afternoon of Feb. 15. One civilian was killed and three police officers were wounded, as a shooting attack occurred at a public seminar called "Art, Blasphemy and Freedom of Expression."
The seminar was organized to honor victims of the attack in January against the French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo.
The Copenhagen attacks have been condemned by U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron and French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius. The seminar was attended by French Ambassador Francois Zimeray, who was unhurt.
Several hours later, shortly after midnight, a second shooting took place near the Great Synagogue in Krystalgade, in which a Jewish community member on security duty was killed and two police officers were wounded.
Early Sunday morning, police shot and killed a man after he opened fire on them while attempting to enter a location which was already under surveillance. In a press conference on Sunday, police said they believed the person killed was behind both attacks.
U.S. condemns attacks in Denmark
The United States has condemned the Copenhagen attacks which saw two people shot dead and five wounded.
“Our deepest condolences go out to the family of the victims who were killed, and our thoughts are with the security officials injured in these terror attacks.” State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki said on Sunday.
Psaki said that the U.S. was ready to help the Danish authorities if needed, adding that the American people stood with Denmark “and all others who defend the universal right of freedom of speech and stand against anti-Semitism and bigotry in all its forms.”
The attacks, which began in Copenhagen on Saturday, saw one civilian was killed and three police officers wounded when a gunman attacked a free-speech event called "Art, Blasphemy and Freedom of Expression."
In the early hours of Sunday morning, a second shooting took place at a synagogue, killing a Jewish community member who was on security duty. Two police officers were also wounded.
The gunman was later shot dead in a clash with police.
Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt has said the events should not be regarded as a “war between Islam and the West.”
