Man kills five with bow and arrows in Norway before ‘confrontation’ with police

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Five people have been killed and others – including an off-duty police officer – have been injured in bow and arrow attacks in Norway, according to police.

The incidents took place in the town of Kongsberg, 82km (51 miles) southwest of the capital, Oslo.

A suspect has been apprehended by police, who believe he acted alone.

There was a confrontation with police and the man tried to run away before he was arrested, the police chief said.

Two other people were wounded and are in intensive care, including an officer who was off duty and inside the shop where the attack took place, police said.

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The attacks are related to a Coop Extra supermarket in the town centre and Coop spokesman Harald Kristiansen said: “We can confirm that there has been a serious incident in our store and that none of our employees are physically injured.

“We are now concerned with following up our employees, and beyond that, we refer to the police investigation.”

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Police believe the man acted alone

Police were called to the incident, in the centre of Kongsberg, at 6.30pm on Wednesday evening with additional resources sent from other towns, including Oslo.

Police chief Oyvind Aas told a press conference on Wednesday evening: “I can, unfortunately, confirm that several people have been killed and injured.

“A man was apprehended at 6.47pm. From the information we have at the moment, one person committed this act alone. He hasn’t been questioned yet so it’s too early to say what the motive was.

“There is major police activity in the area because there are many crime scenes.”

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The man used a bow and arrow and has injured and killed several people. Pic: AP

He declined to comment on the number of casualties and said he could not comment on whether the man was known to the police.

The man has now been taken to Drammen Police Station.

Officer Aas added: “It is natural to consider whether it is an act of terrorism. He has not been questioned, and it is too early to come to any conclusion.”

Asked if he could confirm that a police officer had been shot in the back, he replied: “I can’t answer that question”.

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Police have cordoned off areas of the town. Pic: AP

The attacks took place over a “large area” of Kongsberg, a municipality of around 28,000 people in southeastern Norway, police said.

“There is still a lot of police activity in the area. This is because the perpetrator has moved across a large area, and we are now working, among other things, to secure clues and gather as much information as possible about what has happened,” said Officer Aas.

The injured people have been taken to hospital and Kongsberg council’s crisis team is giving help to those who need it.

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A suspect has been apprehended by police. Pic: AP

Unni Grondal, Oslo police spokesperson, said: “We are helping with national assistance resources such as police helicopters, bomb squads, and crews from the Emergency Response Troop.”

Norway’s minister of justice and public security, Monica Maeland, has been informed and is closely monitoring the situation.

Local media reported a large area on the west side of the town had been cordoned off, with investigations now under way.

British Ambassador to Norway Richard Wood wrote on Twitter: “Police confirming that five people have been killed in #Kongsberg and several injured including a policeman.A shocking incident. Sincere condolences to those affected.”

Norweigan police – which normally do not carry guns – have decided to temporarily arm themselves.

The Norweigan Police Directorate said: “This is an additional contingency measure. The police do not yet have any concrete indications that there is a change in the threat level in the country.”

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An investigation is now underway

Acting Prime Minister Erna Solberg called the attack “gruesome” and said it was too early to speculate on the man’s motive

She added: “The perpetrator has carried out horrific acts against several people. The incident has shaken us.”