Gunfire targets debate free speech, Islam in Copenhagen

A gunman killed at least one person and wounded three police officers after opening fire Saturday on a cultural centre in Copenhagen as it was hosting a debate on Islam and free speech. Swedish artist Lars Vilks — the author of controversial Prophet Mohammed cartoons that sparked worldwide protests in 2007 — was among those at the debate targeted by the gunman, who fled the scene after a shootout with police. Vilks and the French ambassador, who was also attending, were both unharmed. Vilks says he believes he was the intended target of the shooting. Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt described the assault as “a terrorist attack” as Danish television showed the windows of the Krudttonden cultural centre pock-marked by multiple bullet holes.

We feel certain now that it was a politically motivated attack, and thereby it was a terrorist attack. We are on high alert all over the country.

Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt

The shooting came a month after extremists killed 12 people at a satirical newspaper in Paris that had also sparked Muslim outrage with its depictions of Muhammad. Police spokesman Joergen Skov said it was possible the gunman had planned the “same scenario” as in the Charlie Hebdo massacre. The depiction of the prophet is deemed insulting to many followers of Islam. According to mainstream Islamic tradition, any physical depiction of the Prophet Muhammad — even a respectful one — is considered blasphemous. While many Muslims have expressed disgust at the deadly assault on Charlie Hebdo employees, many were also deeply offended by its cartoons lampooning Muhammad.

They targeted an artist and also France. We must fight fascism at all costs. We are all Danish tonight.

Charlie Hebdo columnist Patrick Pelloux told AFP

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