One killed in attack on Copenhagen free speech event

An armed policeman secures the areanear the cafe where a meeting organised by Swedish artist Lars Vilks was attacked. Viks has faced numerous threats for publishing drawings depicting the Prophet Muhammad in 2007. Photograph: Mathias Oegendal/Epa

Bullet holes can be seen in the window and door of Krudttonden cafe after shots were fired during a discussion meeting about art, blasphemy and free speech in Copenhagen. Photograph: Epa

Forensic police officers work at the area around a cultural centre in Copenhagen, Denmark, where unidentified gunmen killed at least one person and wounded several police officers after opening fire. Photograph: Claus Bjorn Larsen/AFP/Getty Images

A major manhunt is under way for a gunman who opened fire on a freedom-of-speech event in Copenhagen, leaving a 40 year-old man dead and three police officers injured.

The gunman opened fire at the Krudttonden cafe, killing the man, during an event featuring Swedish cartoonist and historian Lars Vilks, who depicted the Prophet Mohammed with the body of a dog in 2007.

Danish police, who initially said they were searching for two suspects, issued a photograph of the main suspect this evening, taken on street cameras near to where the getaway car, a VW Polo, was later found dumped.

Mr Vilks and the French ambassador, who was also attending, were both unharmed.

The security guards shouted everyone get out and we were being pushed out of the room, Helle Merete Brix, organiser of the event, said by telephone.

They tried to shoot their way into the conference room, she said. I saw one of them running by, wearing a mask. There was no way to tell his face. Im not even sure if there was one or two.

French ambassador Francois Zimeray tweeted that he was still alive in the room.

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One killed in attack on Copenhagen free speech event