(SKY NEWS) Police in Denmark say several people have been killed in a shooting at a shopping mall in Copenhagen.
“One person has been arrested in connection with the shootings,” Copenhagen police announced, describing the perpetrator as a 22-year-old ethnically Danish man.
Chief inspector Soeren Thomassen said the force was not ruling out the possibility that the incident at the Field’s shopping centre, one of the largest in Scandinavia, was terror-related.
The police said they continue to have a large presence on site. They declined to comment on the nature of the weapon used.
“We are still massively present in Field’s and working to secure the entire building. If you are still in Field’s, stay where you are and wait for the police,” they said.
“Citizens are encouraged not to contact the police with non-urgent inquiries unless these inquiries relate to the shooting in Field’s.”
Local media has reported that three people have been admitted to a trauma centre at one of Copenhagen’s main hospitals.
According to chief inspector Thomassen, police first received reports at 5.30pm of the shooting.
He said there was no evidence that the perpetrator was working in conspiracy with others.
Reuters photographs show people running away from the mall, including families with young children.
Another shows armed police standing by an ambulance on the street outside.
Copenhagen’s Lord Mayor Sophie Andersen tweeted: “Terrible reports of shooting in Fields. We do not yet know for sure how many are injured or dead, but it is very serious.
“The emergency preparedness for Copenhagen has been called,” she added, we understand in reference to the municipality’s crisis response plan.
The exact number of people who have been killed and injured has not been officially announced.
Photographs shared by local media organizations
The British singer Harry Styles was expected to perform at 7pm UK time this evening at a venue close to the mall.
In a Snapchat message, he wrote: “My team and I pray for everyone involved in the Copenhagen shopping mall shooting. I am shocked.”
The concert promoter Live Nation initially said the concert would still take place at 8pm.
However fans commenting on the promoter’s Facebook page as of 8.25pm have complained that many have not been able to enter the arena, where the concert has not yet begun.
show heavily armed police attending the scene and at least ten ambulances.
