Copenhagen Shooting Suspect Has Been Remanded In Psychiatric Ward

The suspected gunman who fatally shot three people at a Copenhagen shopping mall has been admitted to a psychiatric ward.

Police for the Denmark capital confirmed the news on Twitter, writing: "The court remands the 22-year-old in a closed psychiatric ward."

The court ruled in a two-hour hearing that he must be kept at the facility for a period of 24 days, which can then be extended.

Copenhagen police chief Soren Thomassen added in a press conference today (July 4) that the accused was known by local mental health services.

"Our suspect is also known among psychiatric services, beyond that I do not wish to comment," he said.

The accused shooter, a 22-year-old Danish man, opened fire at the Field's Shopping Centre in Copenhagen at around 5:35pm local time on Sunday (July 3).

Three people were killed in the attack, including a 17-year-old Danish boy and girl and a 47-year-old Russian man.

Four others were seriously wounded, while approximately 30 people were injured in the shooting, which unfolded next to the venue of a planned Harry Styles concert.

Fans of the singer said they were left 'running for their lives' as the incident unfolded before police arrested the man 13 minutes after they were alerted.

According to The Guardian, Danish police said they do not believe the attack was terror-related as they suggested the shooter, who was caught with a rifle and a knife, chose his victims at random.

Thomassen said 'nothing in our investigation' including documents and statements gathered from witnesses 'can substantiate that this is an act of terrorism'.

But despite authorities stating that they believe he acted alone, some people are questioning why he hasn't been labelled a terrorist.

The definition of terrorism requires the attack to be 'in pursuit of political aims' and police are saying they currently believe this was a random act of violence rather than a shooting with a wider goal behind it.

In response, one person wrote online: "U know the perp is white when they call it 'shooting' and not terrorism."

Another said they thought it was 'so, so predictable' that a white shooter in a western country who opened fire and killed civilians wouldn't be labelled as a terrorist.

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