Man shot in leg by police during knife threat in Fredrikstad
A man was shot in the leg by police in Fredrikstad following a knife threat near a family event. The incident is being investigated routinely by the Special Unit.
Man shot in leg during knife threat at children's event in Fredrikstad
A man was shot and injured by police in Fredrikstad on Saturday afternoon, according to nrk.no. The shooting occurred near a family event on the east side of the city.
Police responded to a report of a fight between two people. One man had a knife and fled the scene, but was caught by police. He then broke a window of a house where there were people inside, which led police to draw their weapons.
– Police first fired warning shots, before the person was hit by gunshot to the leg, says operations leader Ronny Hellerud Samuelsen in the East police district.
The man who was shot is conscious and was transported to Kalnes hospital. At 16.23, police had no update on his condition.
– We have not received an update on the injured man. The man is still receiving treatment at Kalnes, says Samuelsen.
Football players intervened
Domantas Liutkevicius and several players on the Selbak G19 team were on duty at the event when the incident unfolded. Liutkevicius recounts that he and two others noticed the man moving towards the event. A woman warned them that the man had a knife.
The 18-year-old Liutkevicius attempted to stop the man before he reached the event, where children were present.
– It was really pure instinct to protect the children, get him out of the situation and get the police involved, says Liutkevicius.
Coach Patrick Selaci is proud that the players intervened, but hopes they never have to do so again.
– Protecting the children as they did was not their job today. But they took that task upon themselves, and as a coach, I am tremendously, tremendously proud and impressed, says Selaci.
He and the team will now go through the incident and handle any reactions in the aftermath.
Children and families witness the shooting
Laila Karlsen, one of the organisers, describes the situation as serious for those present.
– This is a family event, so it was not pleasant when it happened. We heard a gunshot. Many children became scared, says Karlsen to VG.
Ruth Evjen was nearby when the shot was fired and describes a rapid and chaotic sequence of events.
– There came a person running with police after him. Then some began to shoot. At first we thought it was all staged, but quickly realised it was not, says Evjen.
– You become a bit frightened. And especially not at a children's event, she adds.
According to witnesses NRK has spoken with, many were able to see the incident. They were eventually instructed by police to leave the area. The event continued after the situation was under control, and around 14.30, police began to pack up.
Special Unit notified
Police were on scene with dog patrols, a drone and several patrols, and cordoned off a number of areas.
Tommy Brøske, geographic operations manager in Follo-Østfold, says the operation was demanding, but justified.
– This was a demanding operation. Based on what we know about the course of events so far, the officers involved did what was necessary, says Brøske.
The Special Unit has been notified and will routinely begin an investigation into the police shooting incident. Police emphasise that they want a thorough review of their conduct.
Source: Google News NO — Vold/Narkotika