Norwegian police are investigating a possible terrorist assault after a person killed 5 folks utilizing a bow and arrow.
Police in Kongsberg — a city 70km west of the capital Oslo — stated there have been “grounds to judge whether or not it is a terror assault” after confirming the variety of fatalities within the assault carried out by a lone man who was arrested.
They stated two folks had been severely harm and have been in hospital although not with life-threatening accidents, together with an off-duty policeman.
In a single day, police charged a 37-year-old Danish citizen. His defence lawyer informed Norwegian media he had co-operated with police and shared particulars of the assault early on Thursday.
On Wednesday night, Norwegian police issued a brief order for officers to hold weapons after the assault.
Police declined to present additional particulars or speculate on motive however confirmed there had been a confrontation between the attacker and officers after the suspect initially fled, with warning photographs fired.
“We’re maintaining an open thoughts, additionally that it might be a terror assault,” native police chief Oyvind Aas informed an emergency press convention.
Over a interval of about half an hour the killer moved round a number of areas within the city of 28,000 folks, together with a Co-op grocery store the place the off-duty policeman was hit.
Norway has suffered a number of acts of terrorism by rightwing extremists lately together with an assault on the then ruling Labour social gathering’s youth camp in addition to authorities buildings in Oslo in 2011 that killed 77.
Prime minister Erna Solberg, who is because of stand down on Thursday earlier than a change of presidency in Oslo, stated on Wednesday night time: “The information is grotesque. The occasions shake us. I perceive that many are afraid. That’s the reason it’s essential to stress that police are in management.”
Jonas Gahr Retailer, the Labour chief who received final month’s elections, stated: “What now we have heard from Kongsberg tonight testifies {that a} merciless and brutal act has been dedicated.”
The assault in Kongsberg, a college city and residential to Norway’s greatest defence firm, got here on the day the brand new centre-left authorities introduced its coverage programme earlier than being sworn in by the king on Thursday.
Kari Anne Sand, Kongsberg’s mayor, stated: “It is a stunning occasion that we scarcely believed might happen in Norway.”