Shots in Oslo nightclub: investigators speak of Islamist terror

Highest terror warning level in Norway – after the deadly attack on a queer club in Oslo, the grief is great. Investigators believe the suspect is a militant Islamist. A Pride parade has been cancelled.

After the deadly shots in Oslo, investigators assume an Islamist act of terrorism. The terror alert level has been raised to the highest level. PST director Roger Berg said the arrested suspect had a long history of violence and threats. The man had previously been diagnosed with a mental illness.

Two people were killed and at least 21 injured, ten seriously, in the early morning attack on a nightclub popular with the queer community. Police say none of the injuries are life-threatening. Accordingly, the suspect also shot on the street in front of the club and in a neighboring club.

A reporter from public broadcaster NRK said he was in the area at the time of the crime and saw a man with a bag arrive, take out a gun and start shooting: “Then I saw windows break and I understood that I had to take cover.”

Known to authorities since 2015

After a short time, police officers managed to overpower the 42-year-old suspected shooter. The Norwegian of Iranian origin has been known since 2015 on suspicion of being a militant Islamist, the PST, which is responsible for counterterrorism, said. According to the police, he is also known for minor offenses such as carrying a knife and drug possession. His name was not published. According to their own statements, the investigators assume that he is a lone perpetrator. A handgun and an automatic weapon were seized in connection with the crime.

The Norwegian police, who are normally unarmed, are now said to carry guns as a precaution until further notice.

Pride parade cancelled

The shots were fired on the eve of the Pride parade planned for Oslo. The organizers canceled this in the morning. It was not clear if the shooting was related to the parade that was scheduled to take place in the city today, police said. She advised the organizers to cancel anyway.

Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Störe spoke of a “terrible and deeply shocking attack on innocent people”. It is not yet known what is behind “this terrible act”, “but I would like to say to the queer people who are afraid and mourning that we stand with you,” he told the NTB news agency.

King Harald said he and the royal family were shocked by the attack. “We must stand together and defend our values: freedom, diversity and mutual respect,” added the 85-year-old monarch.