The suspected gunman behind double shootings in Copenhagen was identified by Danish media Sunday as a 22-year-old with a history of violent crime who had only been freed from jail two weeks ago.
With Europe fearful of a new wave of militant violence, police said the man who killed two people at a cultural centre and a synagogue before being shot dead by police may have been inspired by last month's Paris attacks.
Expressions of sympathy and horror poured in from across the world after the weekend shootings described by Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt as a "cynical act of terror".
At the synagogue in the centre of Copenhagen, tearful Danes laid flowers and lit candles for the victims of the worst such attack in the normally peaceful Scandinavian nation.
Several media identified the suspected lone gunman as Omar El-Hussein, a 22-year-old who was said by the Ekstra-Bladet tabloid to have been released from prison two weeks ago after serving a term for aggravated assault.
Police launched a series of raids across Copenhagen after tracking down and killing the suspect in a pre-dawn shootout in a working class area of the Danish capital.
Investigators said the man, who was born and raised in Denmark, had a history of assault and weapons offences and that they were trying to ascertain if he had help from any accomplices.
In a killing spree that bore a striking resemblance to the Paris attacks, the gunman first fired off a volley of bullets on Saturday at a cultural centre where a panel discussion about Islam and free speech was taking place.
A 55-year-old man identified by the media was documentary film maker Finn Norgaard was killed at the event, which was also attended by Lars Vilks, a Swedish cartoonist behind a controversial caricature of the Prophet Mohammed, and the French ambassador.
In the second attack, the gunman opened fire outside the city's main synagogue while a bar mitzvah was being celebrated, killing a 37-year-old Jewish man named as Dan Uzan who was guarding the building.
Five police were also wounded in the attacks that stoked fear in the city of about one million people, one of the world's safest capitals.
'On the radar'
Police said the gunman was already "on the radar" of the intelligence services and that they were looking into the possibility he had travelled to conflict zones such as Syria and Iraq.
"He may have been inspired by the events that took place in Paris a few weeks ago," Jens Madsen, head of the Security and Intelligence Service, told reporters.
A photo of the suspect issued after the cultural centre attack showed him wearing a black puffer jacket and a maroon balaclava and carrying a black bag.
Armed officers raided a Copenhagen Internet cafe in one of a series of operations on Sunday, leading away at least two people, possibly under arrest, local media said.
The attacks have revived fears in Europe about militant violence since the bloody events in Paris on January 7-9.
French President Francois Hollande said on a visit to the Danish embassy in Paris that the targets in Denmark and France were the same.
"We see there is a link that doesn't show there is a network but does show the terrorists are determined to hit what we are, what we represent, the values of freedom, of law, of protection that every citizen -- whatever his or her religion -- should have," he added.
Four Jews were among a total of 17 people killed in the French capital in attacks on a kosher supermarket and the Charlie Hebdo satirical weekly, which was targeted because it had published cartoons lampooning the Prophet Mohammed.
The Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten was itself the centre of global controversy after publishing Mohammed cartoons in 2005 that triggered protests across the Muslim world.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged European Jews to move to Israel after Saturday's shooting, echoing a similar call made after the Paris attacks.
'Appalling attack'
British Prime Minister David Cameron condemned the Copenhagen shootings as an "appalling attack on free speech and religious freedom", while the United States branded them "deplorable".
State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the US had offered its assistance as Denmark investigates the attacks.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said there was "no justification" for the attacks and urged society to stand up for tolerance.
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg called the shootings "unacceptable attacks on our open, free and democratic societies and on the Jewish community in Denmark".
The central area of Copenhagen that is home to both the synagogue and Noerreport station, the country's busiest rail hub, was cordoned off by police carrying machine guns.
The windows of the cultural centre were pockmarked by bullet holes, and the BBC released chilling audio of the moment a speaker at the event was interrupted by a barrage of gunfire.
"It's terrible. It's an attack on the free world," said 84-year-old Copenhagenresident Joergen Johanssen.
In Paris, several hundred demonstrators gathered at the Danish embassy, some chanting "Je suis danois," echoing the slogan "Je suis Charlie" that took hold around the world after the French attacks.
AFP
Mon Feb 16 2015
![Copenhagen gunman had 'history of violent crime' Copenhagen gunman had 'history of violent crime'](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2015-02/71424048487_295x200.jpg)
An undated picture released by Copenghagen police in 2013 shows the man suspected of killing two people in shootings in Copenhagen. He has been identified in several Danish media outlets on Sunday as Omar El-Hussein. - AFP PHOTO / HO / DANISH POLICE
AWANI Ringkas: Bukan arahan saya - Fahmi Fadzil
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
Wang kertas tertera wajah Raja Charles dilelong RM5.2 juta
Wang kertas tertera wajah pemerintah monarki Britain, Raja Charles III, berjaya dilelong pada harga 914,127 pound Sterling (RM5.2 juta) dalam empat siri lelongan di London baru-baru ini.
Penemuan takungan air, saintis percaya wujud hidupan di Marikh
Jumlah takungan air yang banyak jauh di dalam kerak planet Marikh, menimbulkan semula persoalan dalam kalangan saintis yang percaya tentang kemungkinan wujudnya hidupan di planet merah tersebut.
Mpox atau cacar monyet: WHO isytihar mpox kecemasan kesihatan awam global
Pertubuhan Kesihatan Sedunia (WHO) mengisytiharkan Monkeypox atau Mpox sebagai kecemasan kesihatan awam global, pada Rabu.
Parlimen Thailand pilih perdana menteri baharu Jumaat ini
Parlimen Thailand akan bersidang pada Jumaat ini bagi mengadakan mesyuarat khas memilih perdana menteri baharu susulan keputusan mahkamah yang menyingkirkan Srettha Thavisin pada Rabu/
![Parlimen Thailand pilih Perdana Menteri baharu esok Parlimen Thailand pilih Perdana Menteri baharu esok](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/71723695263_TBSretthaThavisin.jpg)
Parlimen Thailand pilih Perdana Menteri baharu esok
Parlimen Thailand akan bersidang pada Jumaat ini bagi mengadakan mesyuarat khas memilih perdana menteri baharu susulan keputusan mahkamah yang menyingkirkan Srettha Thavisin pada Rabu.
5 kematian akibat komplikasi denggi pada ME ke 31 dilaporkan
Jumlah kes demam denggi Pada Minggu Epidemiologi ke-31 tahun 2024 dilaporkan sebanyak 2,515 kes berbanding 2,609 kes pada minggu sebelumnya.
[TERKINI] Fahmi nafi arah Google nyahaktif ciri graf penukar ringgit
Menjawab tuduhan seorang pengguna X, Ahli Parlimen Lembah Pantai itu menerusi platform sama menegaskan beliau tidak pernah mengarahkan penyedia perkhidmatan itu berbuat demikian.
![Wanita dan kanak-kanak maut dalam nahas kereta, MPV di Kuala Kangsar Wanita dan kanak-kanak maut dalam nahas kereta, MPV di Kuala Kangsar](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/51723694795_KemalanganMaut.jpg)
Wanita dan kanak-kanak maut dalam nahas kereta, MPV di Kuala Kangsar
Dua maut selepas kereta dinaiki terlibat dalam kemalangan dengan sebuah MPV jenis Toyota Velfire di Jalan Kuala Kangsar-Manong.
[TERKINI] Bapa terima baik kehilangan Nidza Afham
Mokhtar Mahmud, bapa kepada penyanyi Muhammad Nidza Afham redha dengan pemergian Allahyarham yang disahkan meninggal dunia selepas jasadnya ditemui terapung di jambatan Sungai Klang pada petang Rabu.
![UCL: Kad merah Marcus Rashford ubah nasib Man Utd di Copenhagen UCL: Kad merah Marcus Rashford ubah nasib Man Utd di Copenhagen](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-11/41699495656_TBDenmarkSoccer.jpg)
UCL: Kad merah Marcus Rashford ubah nasib Man Utd di Copenhagen
Pertemuan bermula dengan jaringan Rasmus Hojlund tetapi berakhir dengan kekalahan yang dicetuskan oleh kad merah Marcus Rashford.
![Kejohanan Dunia: Aaron-Wooi Yik wakil tunggal Malaysia ke separuh akhir Kejohanan Dunia: Aaron-Wooi Yik wakil tunggal Malaysia ke separuh akhir](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-06/81687088880_WooiYikAaron.jpg)
Kejohanan Dunia: Aaron-Wooi Yik wakil tunggal Malaysia ke separuh akhir
Beregu negara dipaksa bekerja keras untuk menumpaskan Liu Yu Chen-Ou Xuan Yi dari China bagi mengesahkan kemenangan 21-10, 15-21 dan 21-14.
![Euro 2020: Sepanyol 'perah keringat' sebelum ke suku akhir Euro 2020: Sepanyol 'perah keringat' sebelum ke suku akhir](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-06/81624917108_AlvaroMorata.jpg)
Euro 2020: Sepanyol 'perah keringat' sebelum ke suku akhir
Sepanyol berjaya menemui ramuan memastikan mereka melangkah ke suku akhir selepas Morata dan Oyarzabal menjaringkan dua gol memastikan pasukannya melakar kemenangan dramatik.
![Euro 2020: Eriksen muat naik gambar di media sosial Euro 2020: Eriksen muat naik gambar di media sosial](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-06/71623799938_ChristianEriksen.jpg)
Euro 2020: Eriksen muat naik gambar di media sosial
Doktor pasukan, Morten Boesen, mengesahkan pemain berusia 29 tahun itu mengalami serangan jantung.
![Koronavirus: UNICEF hantar bantuan topeng, baju perlindungan ke Wuhan Koronavirus: UNICEF hantar bantuan topeng, baju perlindungan ke Wuhan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2020-01/61580318599_Uniceflogo.jpg)
Koronavirus: UNICEF hantar bantuan topeng, baju perlindungan ke Wuhan
Pemantauan dan pencegahan adalah kunci untuk mengekang koronavirus, kata Pengarah Eksekutif UNICEF Henrietta Fore.
![Lebih 20 ditahan dalam rusuhan di Copenhagen Lebih 20 ditahan dalam rusuhan di Copenhagen](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2019-04/71555342534_LarsLokkeRasmussen.jpg)
Lebih 20 ditahan dalam rusuhan di Copenhagen
Kejadian bermula apabila Rasmus Paludan, peguam yang menuntut hak kebebasan bersuara, melambung kitab Al-Quran ke udara beberapa kali dalam satu demonstrasi yang dikawal rapi pihak polis.
![Kembara ke Greenland dan Denmark: Tip penting untuk warga Malaysia Kembara ke Greenland dan Denmark: Tip penting untuk warga Malaysia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2016-02/71454574646_Greenland.jpg)
Kembara ke Greenland dan Denmark: Tip penting untuk warga Malaysia
Tip dan fakta-fakta menarik yang perlu anda tahu sebelum melawat Greenland dan Denmark.
![1 maut, 2 cedera dalam serangan kedua di Copenhagen 1 maut, 2 cedera dalam serangan kedua di Copenhagen](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2015-02/71423960587_295x200.jpg)
1 maut, 2 cedera dalam serangan kedua di Copenhagen
Seorang ditembak di kepala dan dua anggota polis di lengan dan kaki di pusat bandar Copenhagen, kata polis dalam satu kenyataan awal pada Ahad.
![Malaysia capai sasaran kurangkan intensiti pelepasan karbon - Najib Razak Malaysia capai sasaran kurangkan intensiti pelepasan karbon - Najib Razak](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2014-09/41411521242_295x200.jpg)
Malaysia capai sasaran kurangkan intensiti pelepasan karbon - Najib Razak
Perdana Menteri berkata Malaysia telah mengurangkan intensiti pelepasan karbon KDNK lebih daripada 33 peratus.
![Serangga pembuka selera di London Serangga pembuka selera di London](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2013-03/41364525528_295x200.jpg)
Serangga pembuka selera di London
Satu majlis akan berlangsung di London pada bulan depan dan pelayannya hanya akan dipanggil jika pelanggan tidak menjumpai serangga dalam sup mereka.