Three men have been charged in connection with the shooting death of a 24-year-old man outside a mosque in the Vesterbro district.
Police hoped to formally charge all three today, but said that one of the suspects, a 26-year-old man they say fired the fatal shots, remains in serious condition at a hospital in Malmö, Sweden, with bullet wounds.
The suspect’s father, who is also facing charges, was shot in the incident that saw about 20 bullets fired from multiple weapons. He remains in the hospital today but has been questioned by police.
During his arraignment today, the third suspect, a 47-year-old man, pleaded innocent to the charges of possession of a weapon and attempting to destroy evidence.
Initially, police were investigating the incident as a possible gang-related shooting, but it has since been established that the incident is related to a conflict between rival factions of convenience store owners.
It was also announced yesterday that the victim, who had recently opened a convenience store, had been sentenced to five years in connection with the 2004 stabbing of an American exchange student in Copenhagen.
An autopsy revealed that in addition to multiple gunshot wounds, the victim also had a number of stab wounds. According to eyewitnesses, when the scuffle broke out, the victim drew a knife, but it is unknown if that same knife was used in the stabbing.
In addition to the three facing charges, an additional four men are being sought for questioning by the police.
Two of those men, at least one of whom was armed when seen fleeing the scene, are believed to be friends of the victim. The other two are said to belong to the rival group.
