A 23-year-old man in Denmark has been sentenced to detention in a secure medical facility for opening fire at a mall and killing three people. The incident, which occurred on July 3, 2022, at the Field’s shopping center in Copenhagen, saw the man mistakenly believe the victims were zombies. The man, who remains unidentified due to court rules, was found guilty of murder and attempted murder by the Copenhagen District Court.
The shooting resulted in the deaths of three individuals, including two 17-year-olds and a 47-year-old Russian man. Additionally, 23 people were injured during the incident. The prosecutor, Søren Harbo, expressed satisfaction with the verdict, noting that many people continue to struggle with physical and psychological consequences from that day.
The court concluded that the man had planned the attack, evidenced by his previous reconnaissance trip to the mall. Furthermore, the court declared the man to be insane. As a result, he was sentenced to a secure medical facility indefinitely, without a maximum time limit.
During the trial, the man admitted to shooting and killing individuals, under the delusion that they were zombies. It was revealed that he had attempted to contact a counseling helpline before the rampage but was unable to reach anyone due to changes in the helpline’s operating hours during the summer vacation.
The man had obtained a rifle, a nine-millimeter pistol, and ammunition from his father’s legally owned arms cabinet. In his closing statement, he expressed regret and apologized to the relatives and survivors of the incident, as well as those who lost their lives.
Neither party involved in the case immediately appealed the ruling. The shooting led to the cancellation of a nearby concert by singer Harry Styles. Following the attack, thousands gathered outside the mall to pay tribute to the victims, with Crown Prince Frederik and Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen among those present. The incident was described as “cruel, unjust, and senseless” by the Prime Minister.