Shots in nightclub: Oslo police investigate suspected terrorism

After the shooting outside an Oslo nightclub that left two dead, the police are examining the possibility of a terrorist strike. The club is popular in the gay community. The Pride procession scheduled for today has been cancelled.

The Norwegian police have initiated a terrorism inquiry following the tragic shooting in Oslo. Two individuals were murdered and at least 21 others wounded, 10 badly, in the early morning assault outside a nightclub popular with the LGBT community. There was also firing in front of a nearby bar and on the street.

Police eventually managed to overcome the alleged gunman. This is known to the domestic secret service, which is also responsible for preventing terrorism, said police head Christian Hatlo during a news conference. He is also known to the police for minor charges such as carrying a weapon and narcotics possession. A pistol and an automatic firearm were confiscated in connection with the incident.

Hatlo stated the quantity of deaths, injuries and crime scenes led to the determination that the incident was a terrorist strike: there was grounds to assume that the suspect meant to sow fear and terror with his conduct.

Pride parade cancelled

On the evening before the Pride march that was about to take place in Oslo, bullets were fired. The morning before the event, the organisers made the decision to cancel it. According to the statement made by the spokesperson, it is still unknown whether or not the shooting was connected to the march that was planned to take place in the city today. The event was cancelled regardless of the advice given by the police, according to the people who organised it.

A horrific and terribly upsetting assault on innocent people, as described by Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, was carried out, he said. It is not yet clear what motivated “this awful deed,” but he told the NTB news agency that he wanted to let the LGBTQ community know that they are not alone in their fear and sadness. “We are with you,” he said. A reporter for the Norwegian public broadcasting organisation NRK said that he observed a guy enter with a suitcase, and that the man then pulled out a pistol and began firing.