A shooting at a nightclub in Oslo, the Norwegian capital, that killed two people and killed 14, is being investigated as an act of terrorism, according to police.
A gunman opened fire around 1 a.m. local time in numerous places near the London Pub, a popular gay bar and nightclub in the city center, police said.
People trapped in the shooting fled the street in panic or tried to hide.
According to public broadcaster NRK, there are at least three crime scenes.
Police said the suspect, identified as a 42-year-old Norwegian citizen and originally from Iran, was arrested on a nearby street a few minutes later.
An Oslo force spokesman said the shooting was being investigated as an act of terror.
The detained man is not cooperating with officers, but his home has been searched, NRK added.
Officers, who recovered two weapons from the crime scene, including a fully automatic pistol, added that they believe he acted alone.
NRK journalist Olav Roenneberg said: “I saw a man with a bag arrive, grab a gun and start firing.
“First I thought it was a compressed air gun, then the glass in the bar next door broke and I realized I had to run to take refuge.”
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre called the attack “cruel and deeply shocking to innocent people”.
The suspect is being held on suspicion of murder, attempted murder and terrorism, according to police lawyer Christian Hatlo, who added that the suspect’s mental health is also being investigated.
The suspect was known to the police as well as the Norwegian security police, but not for any major violent crime, investigators said.
His criminal record included a narcotics offense and a gun crime for carrying a knife, Hatlo said.
Image: Tore Barstad
Police to assess possible ‘connection’ with Pride
Oslo was scheduled to hold its annual Pride Parade on Saturday later, but police spokesman Tore Barstad said it is not known if this was related to the shooting.
“Police are in contact with the organizers of this Saturday’s Pride event,” he said.
“There will be an ongoing assessment of what measures the police should take to protect this event and whether this incident has any connection to Pride.”
Organizers of the Oslo Pride Festival said they had canceled a parade that will take place on Saturday, following the advice of police.
In a post on the event’s official Facebook page, they wrote: “Therefore, Oslo Pride urges everyone who plans to participate or watch the parade not to show up.
“All Oslo Pride-related events are canceled.”