World leaders denounce Copenhagen shootings as attack on freedom of speech, offer condolences

Published February 15, 2015

Dansh Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt pays respects Sunday Feb. 15, 2015, at the Copenhagen Synagogue for the victims for the Saturday nights shootings in Copenhagen. Danish police shot and killed a man early Sunday suspected of carrying out shooting attacks at a free speech event and then at a Copenhagen synagogue, killing two men, including a member of Denmark's Jewish community. Five police officers were also wounded in the attacks. (AP Photo / Thomas Borberg, Polfoto) DENMARK OUT(The Associated Press)

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chairs the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2015. (AP Photo/Abir Sultan)(The Associated Press)

Police working at the scene where police shot and killed the alleged shooter in Copenhagen. Shooting took place early Sunday morning close to Noerrebro commuter station. Danish police shot and killed a man early Sunday suspected of carrying out shooting attacks at a free speech event and then at a Copenhagen synagogue, killing two men, including a member of Denmark's Jewish community. Five police officers were also wounded in the attacks. (AP Photo / Jens Dresling, Polfoto) DENMARK OUT(The Associated Press)

Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt in front of the Synagogue in Copehagen, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2015. A man opened fire Saturday killing a Danish documentary filmmaker and a member of the Scandinavian countrys Jewish community and wounding five police officers in the attacks. (AP Photo/Polfoto, Jens Dresling) DENMARK OUT(The Associated Press)

COPENHAGEN, Denmark Public figures across Europe and beyond on Sunday condemned the attack by an unidentified gunman against a free speech event and a synagogue in Copenhagen that left three people dead, including the suspected perpetrator. Investigators in the Danish capital say the gunman could have been inspired by the terror attacks in Paris last month, in which three Islamic radicals killed 17 people at the Charlie Hebdo newspaper, a kosher grocery store and elsewhere.

Here's a look at some of the reactions to the events in Copenhagen:

"Denmark has been hit by terror."

"As a nation we have experienced a few hours that we will never forget. We have tasted the nasty taste of fear and powerlessness that the terrorists want us to taste."

"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." - Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt.

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World leaders denounce Copenhagen shootings as attack on freedom of speech, offer condolences