Denmark detains two suspects after shootings

Copenhagen police said on Monday they had detained two men suspected of aiding a gunman who killed two people in twin attacks in the Danish capital over the weekend.

“The two men are suspected of aiding and abetting the perpetrator in connection with the shooting attacks at Krudttoenden (cultural centre) and (the synagogue) in Krystalgade,” police said in a statement, according to Agence France-Presse.

The two were arrested on Sunday and will appear before a judge on Monday morning, it said.

“Copenhagen Police does not have any further information on this subject,” it said.

Police carried out a series of operations in the Copenhagen area on Sunday, including an afternoon raid on an internet cafe in the inner city district of Noerrebro.

The raid took place in the same area where the suspected gunman was killed during an exchange of fire with special police forces early Sunday.

The United States on Sunday condemned the deadly attacks, as it lashed out against all forms of bigotry, including anti-Semitism.

Washington “condemns the terrorist attacks that took place over the weekend in Copenhagen,” State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a statement.

“Our deepest condolences go out to the family of the victims who were killed, and our thoughts are with the security officials injured in these terror attacks.”

Psaki said the United States had offered assistance as Denmark investigates the deadly incidents.

“The people of the United States stand united with the people of Denmark and all others who defend the universal right of freedom of speech and stand against anti-Semitism and bigotry in all its forms,” Psaki added.

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 center 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.

(With AFP)