Oslo nightclub shooter arrested: Norway responds with impromptu Pride parade
In the early hours of Saturday, June 25 2022, gunfire broke out at the popular queer nightclub, London Pub. Police in Oslo responded incredibly fast, however ten people were critically wounded and two lost their lives. The shooter was arrested within less than five minutes outside the nightclub.
A legal representative for the police told the media that at the time of arrest, no motive was clear. The shooter is a Norwegian citizen from Iran with only a record of minor crimes. The police are investigating the crime as a terrorist attack.
The shooting occured in Oslo on the weekend of their annual LGBTQ Pride parade. Based on the timing of the shooting, it was suspected that the LGBTQ community in Oslo may have been the intended target.
The Oslo Pride parade was slated to occur later that day, but on the advice of police, organizers canceled the event.
“We will follow the police’s recommendation and take care of each other. We are sending warm thoughts and love to next of kin, those who were wounded, and others affected,” said Oslo Pride leader Inger Kristin Haugsevje and Inge Alexander Gjestvang, leader of FRI, the Norwegian Organisation for Sexual and Gender Diversity.
That didn’t stop the LGBTQ community in Oslo though. Instead of the annual Pride parade, thousands gathered in solidarity and memorium and marched with Pride flags towards the London Pub. The strength and unity of the LGBTQ community was on display for all.
More information about the shooter has come to light. Acting Police Chief Roger Berg says that they believe the suspect to be a racialized Islamist who is suffering from mental health issues and PTSD. Although he only has a record for minor offenses, he was apparently on the authorities radar since 2015.
As two other locations were also hit in the attack, it is unclear if the LGBTQ community was the real target of the crime.
As Pride parades are carried out all around the world this weekend, we wish everyone a safe and happy time.
