A Social Media Timeline of the Copenhagen Killings

An estimated 30,000 people participated in the memorial for the victims of a recent shooting in Copenhagen, Denmark on February 16, 2015. Photo by Jacob Crawfurd. Copyright Demotix

An estimated 30,000 people participated in the memorial for the victims of a recent shooting in Copenhagen, Denmark on February 16, 2015. Photo by Jacob Crawfurd. Copyright Demotix

Denmark woke up to a Monday of mourning after two people were shot dead and the alleged shooter killed in the capital over the weekend. The violence was perceived as unprecedented in Danish territory.

As the world followed online and in media, Danish social media users tweeted and posted about the historic tragedy. 

First shooting: Saturday, February 14 at 3:30 p.m.

A panel debate on free speech in Copenhagen ended tragically Saturday afternoon, when a gunman fired more than 40 shots from outside the debate venue. Film director Finn Nørgaard, 55, was killed and three police officers were injured.

The debate took place at the Krudttønden cafe in the central Østerbro district. One of the guests — the presumed target — was Swedish artist Lars Vilks, whose cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad have sparked controversy in the past. Some attendees live-tweeted  the shooting.

French Ambassador to Denmark François Zimeray said:

Femen‘s representative Inna Shevchenko was one of the panelists at the event:

Immediately after the shooting, a city-wide man hunt was launched, and an hour later the suspected getaway car was located. Still no gunman. Around 8 in the evening, the Copenhagen Police Department released a surveillance photo of a possible suspect via Twitter:

Krudttønden: Photo inquiry! Who is this man? Call 114. RT please. Thank You. #politidk

 

Second shooting: Sunday, February 15 at 1 a.m. 

A Bar Mitzvah celebration was taking place in the heart of Copenhagen in one of the central synagogues. The party ended suddenly and tragically between midnight and 1 a.m. A Jewish guard, 37-year-old Dan Uzan, was shot in the head and killed. Two police officers were also wounded by gunshots, but survived. Once again, the gunman responsible for the crime fled.

 

Third Shooting: Sunday, February 15 at 5 a.m.

Local media began putting together maps and timelines of the events.

Copenhagen police then tracked down the suspected gunman in a street in the traditionally working-class area of north-west Copenhagen, bordering the Nørrebro district. After an exchange of gunfire, the suspect was shot dead. He was 22 years old and his name was Omar Abdel Hamid El-Hussein. Omar was born in Copenhagen and previously known to authorities for acts of violence and gang-related crimes.

Massive police presence dominated that Sunday in Copenhagen. Police kept searching for evidence and possible affiliates. So far, two men have been charged for possible involvement in the shootings.

A Danish reporter shared a graphic image of the gunman after the suspect had been shot down by police.

In the wake

Social networks have been on fire with reactions, comments, and statements from locals and across the globe. As expected in such complex issues, there are very different views on what happened and what needs to be done in the aftermath. However, one particular sentiment seems to resonate: to stand together and cherish democracy.

This is one of the images widely shared on social media, originally posted with the caption: “Rest In Peace”.

Picture of today. Lars Krabbe’s (.@jyllandsposten) great photo is shown here without Instragram-cropping. #cphshooting #policedk

Krudttønden this morning. A sea of flowers. #cphshooting

A Danish reporter tweeted from Paris:

It is estimated that over 30,000 people attended a public commemoration in Copenhagen on Monday night.

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