homeEntertainment

Danish Prime Minister Vows Solidarity After Copenhagen Attack

Veronica Elliot February 16, 2015 12:15 PM EST

A man lights a candle at a memorial for the victims of the deadly attacks in front of the synagogue in Krystalgade in Copenhagen, February 15, 2015. | (Photo: Reuters/LEONHARD FOEGER)

Denmark's prime minister has vowed solidarity among her nation following a deadly weekend shooting that left two dead and appears to be religiously-motivated.

The shooting started Saturday, when a 22-year-old suspect, who reportedly had an interest in Islamist issues, opened fire on a cafe in Copenhagen where a free speech forum was being hosted, killing one. The gunman then went on to open fire at a local synagogue, where a guard was shot. The 22-year-old was eventually shot by police in his neighborhood.

According to Reuters, leaders in Denmark are attempting to decry the weekend's violence and remind Danes that the country is united in its support of Jewish, Muslim and other minority religious groups.

"We have now experienced the fear that terrorism seeks to spread," Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt said in a statement. "The Danish democracy is strong, the Danish nation is strong, and we will not accept any attempt to threaten or intimidate our liberties and our rights."

Just as France announced a new terrorism plan following the Charlie Hedbo attacks in January, Prime Minister Thorning-Schmidt said in a statement that the country will now have to adjust to the new threat of terrorism.

"As a nation, we have experienced a series of hours we will never forget," she said Sunday, as reported by CNN.

"We have tasted the ugly taste of fear and powerlessness that terror would like to create. But we have also, as a society, answered back."

According to BBC News, Thorning-Schmidt described the attack as "a cynical act of terror against Denmark".

"We do not know the motive for the alleged perpetrator's actions, but we know that there are forces that want to hurt Denmark. They want to rebuke our freedom of speech,'' she added.

Latest News

Sight & Sound’s ‘David’ showcases a king's sincere heart to pursue God

LANCASTER, Pa. — Four years in the making, the production “David” opened at Sight & Sound Theatres this year and explores the journey of an unassuming shepherd boy who became a king.

Presbyterian Church in America votes to leave National Association of Evangelicals

The Presbyterian Church in America has voted to leave the National Association of Evangelicals due to the ...

Secular intolerance of Christians' views is leading to self-censorship, report warns

Secular intolerance has a “chilling effect” on Christians who are having to practice “various forms of self-censorship” as they're finding it difficult to express their faith freely in society, according to a new report detailing accounts from four countries.

Over 50 killed in 'vile and satanic' attack at Nigerian church on Pentecost Sunday

Gunmen suspected to be Islamic Fulani herdsmen barged into a Catholic Church in southwestern Nigeria, opened fire and detonated explosives while the congregation was celebrating Mass on Pentecost Sunday, killing at least 50 worshipers, including women and children. It's feared that some Christians were also abducted after the attack.

Leah Sharibu held captive over 1,500 days in Nigeria, but family advocates haven't lost hope

For more than 1,500 days, Nigerian Christian teenager Leah Sharibu has been held captive by the Boko Haram terrorist group as Christians continue to be the target of attacks in the West African nation.