RIGHT NOW: Five shot in Copenhagen - one dead

Copenhagen

Several shot in Christiania Peter Schwartz 

Peter Schwartz

Updated 22:52 | Published 20:32  

 

News  

Several people were shot in Christiania on Saturday evening, according to the Copenhagen police. 

 

A man in his 30s has died and four have been injured. 

  

The police stated at a press conference that the dead man has connections to the gang environment. 

  

At 7:25 p.m., the Copenhagen police are alerted to Christiania in central Copenhagen after receiving calls that a shooting has taken place, Denish media reports.  

 

The Copenhagen police write on X that several people have been shot, but do not state how many.  

 

A major operation is underway at the sanctuary Christiania in central Copenhagen. Photo: Presse-Fotos.Dk  

  

According to information to several Denish media, one of those shot has connections to the Hells Angels. 

  

The police state at a press conference that five people were shot. One of them, a man in his 30s with gang ties, has died from his injuries.  

 

Copenhagen police say that two people have been arrested in connection with the incident.  

 

A large police operation is underway in the area.  

 

- We are working hard out there. We have a larger police force on site at the moment to get an overview of what happened, says Martin Kajberg at the Copenhagen Police.  

 

Police on site in Christiania. Photo: Emil Helms/Ritzau Scanpix  

 

The police write on X, formerly twitter, that the shooting took place in and around Stjerneskibet, a house on the well-known Pusher Street.  

 

According to TV2, at least one ambulance and several ambulances must be on the scene.  

 

According to Ekstrabladet's reporter on the spot, the intersection between Prinsessegade and Bådmandsgade is blocked off. There must also be many people on site. Two ambulances should have left there.  

 

Residents of Christiania earlier in August protested against the criminal gangs and demanded that the police shut down the open drug trade that takes place around Pusher Street.  

 

At 10:45 p.m., the Copenhagen police hold a press conference about the incident. 

 

The witnesses: "Like in a movie"  

 

Norwegian VG has spoken to two witnesses to the events after the shooting.  

 

- Everyone ran out and their faces were completely pale. They ran and ran and ran, says the witness.  

 

- People on the spot said that "it's someone shooting with a machine gun".  

 

The witnesses were at the scene for an hour. - We saw two injured people who were sent by ambulance.  

A woman who was injured in the arm and a man who was shot, but I didn't see where, the witness told VG. 

 

- Police cars, military vehicles and ambulances arrived. It was dramatic, like in a movie, she continues. 

 

A large police operation is underway at the scene. Photo: Emil Helms/Ritzau Scanpix  

 

FACTS 

 

The haven of Christiania 

 

In the last 1960s, the Danish Armed Forces began to evacuate what was called the Bådsmandsstræde barracks in the Christianshavn district of Copenhagen.  

 

Squatters with dreams of building an alternative community moved in.

    

On september 26, 1971, "Det Fri Christiania" was proclaimed. 

 

In 1989, a special law for Christiania was enacted by the Norwegian Parliament. Those who lived there received collective user rights and the right to some self-management. The agreement was terminated in 2004 until January 1, 2006. 

 

In 2005–2007, Christiania and the state negotiated the future of the area but did not reach an agreement. 

 

In Februari 2011, the Danish Supreme Court ruled that the state owns and has unlimited power over the area. 

 

September 26, 2011 – on Christiania's fortieth birthday – the actress Anne Marie Helger founded Stiftelsen Fristaden Christiania.  

 

In 2012, Fonden Fristaden Christiania bought the land for 76.2 million Danish kroner. Residents pay rent for their accommodation. 

 

Present  tense

 

Approximately 1,000 people live in the sanctuary, which has self-government based on each individual being responsible for their own life and home.  

 

There is a democratically elected management, but important decisions are made at large meetings where all residents can participate. The area is managed by Stiftelsen Fristaden Christiania. 

 

There are no laws, but some rules:  

 

• No hard drugs • No weapons • No violence • No dealing in buildings or housing Christiania is 

 

Copenhagen's second largest tourist attraction.  

 

During August, Christiania had a major effort to remove the criminal gangs from the sanctuary.  

The picture is from earlier in August.