Copenhagen shooter 'inspired by ISIS'

Published: 5:34AM Monday February 16, 2015 Source: AP

Police investigators work at the scene of the shooting at a free speech event in Copenhagen. Photo / AP

The suspected gunman killed by police after shooting attacks against a free speech event and outside a Copenhagen synagogue was 22-years-old and had a background in criminal gangs, police say.

The suspect was born in Denmark and had a criminal record, including violence and weapons offences, Copenhagen police said in a statement. They didn't release his name.

A Danish film maker attending a panel discussion on blasphemy was killed in the shooting at the free speech event and a member of the Scandinavian country's Jewish community was killed outside the synagogue. Five police officers were also wounded in the shootings.

Police believe the suspect carried out both shootings alone but were investigating whether he had received help from others.

"Denmark has been hit by terror," Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt said. "We do not know the motive for the alleged perpetrator's actions, but we know that there are forces that want to hurt Denmark. They want to rebuke our freedom of speech."

Jens Madsen, head of the Danish intelligence agency PET, said investigators believe the gunman was inspired by Islamic radicalism.

"PET is working on a theory that the perpetrator could have been inspired by the events in Paris. He could also have been inspired by material sent out by (the Islamic State group) and others," Madsen said.

Islamic radicals carried out a massacre at the Charlie Hebdo newsroom in Paris last month, followed by an attack on Jews at a kosher grocery store, taking the lives of 17 victims.

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Copenhagen shooter 'inspired by ISIS'