Danish PM Says Shooter Was Not Part Of A Wide Terror Cell

No explosives have been found in the suspect package found at the Copenhagen arts cafe, and restrictions in the area have been lifted, ITV News reported.

The package was a letter containing messages pertaining to the weekend's terrorist attacks, according to Sky News.

A suspect letter has been found at the site of the weekend's attack on a Copenhagen arts cafe, AFP reported. Police told Reuters the area has been evacuated.

Reuters reported that sniffer dogs and dozens of officers were present at the cafe, and they were waiting for the arrival of a bomb disposal team.

One source told the AP that El-Hussein had been in pre-trial detention for a long time but was released two weeks ago. He also said the corrections authority had alerted Danish security service PET last year after they noticed worrisome changes in El-Hussein's behavior last summer.

He wouldn't give specifics but said such alerts are issued when inmates change their attitude or behavior in way that "sets off alarm bells."

As the AP reported:

Mourners placed flowers and candles at the cultural center where documentary filmmaker Finn Noergaard, 55, was killed and at the synagogue where Dan Uzan, a 37-year-old security guard, was gunned down.

There was also a smaller mound of flowers on the street at the location where the gunman was slain, which critics said was an insult to his victims. Ozlem Cekic, lawmaker of the leftwing Socialist People's Party, called it "a huge assault on the Danish population."

Danish Prime Minster Helle Thorning-Schmidt said Monday that 22-year-old terror suspect Omar El-Hussein is not believed to have been part of a wider cell:

He was known by the police for several criminal acts, including severe violence, and he was also known to be linked to a criminal gang in Copenhagen.

But I want to also make very clear that we have no indication at this stage that he was part of a cell.

According to Sky News, the men were arrested in an internet bookshop and are charged with hiding suspect Omar El-Hussein after the initial attack on the free speech event and supplying him with a weapon.

The pair deny the charges, Sky News said.

The leader of PET, the Danish intelligence agency, told the Associated Press Sunday that investigators believed the gunman was inspired by other Islamic extremists.

"PET is working on a theory that the perpetrator could have been inspired by the events in Paris," Jens Madsen said. "He could also have been inspired by material sent out by [ISIS] and others."

U.S. State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki condemned the terror attacks in a statement on Sunday:

The United States condemns the terrorist attacks that took place over the weekend in Copenhagen, Denmark. The first attack on Saturday was against a meeting to discuss art, religion, and free speech. The second, early Sunday morning, was against a synagogue. Our deepest condolences go out to the family of the victims who were killed, and our thoughts are with the security officials injured in these terror attacks.

We remain in communication with Danish authorities and have offered to be of assistance in any way needed. The people of the United States stand united with the people of Denmark and all others who defend the universal right of freedom of speech and stand against anti-semitism and bigotry in all its forms.

Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt released the following statement in English on Sunday:

Denmark has been hit by a terrorist attack. Yesterday afternoon a peaceful meeting was viciously attacked by a gunman, and early this morning the Jewish synagogue was similarly attacked. Two persons have been killed and five police officers injured.

Today the thoughts of all Danes rest with the families of the two deceased and the wounded.

As a nation we will not easily forget the past 24 hours. We have experienced the fear and uncertainty that terrorism seeks to spread. But we have also responded with determination and resolve. Early this morning the situation ended with the death of the presumed perpetrator.

I commend the courage and professionalism of The Danish Police and other involved authorities. Their efforts have been truly extraordinary.

Denmark is an open, free and peaceful democracy. This will not change. We will defend our society and stand by its fundamental values.

To attack the Jewish minority in Denmark is an attack on all of Denmark. We are all deeply disturbed by the tragedy that unfolded in front of the Jewish Synagogue. The Jewish community is an important part of Denmark, and has our warm sympathy and strong support.

We have known for long that there are forces wishing to harm open and free societies like Denmark. This is not a struggle between Islam and the West, or between Muslims and non-Muslims. This is a struggle between the core values of our society and violent extremists.

We are not alone in this struggle. We have received expressions of sympathy and support from leaders around the world. It has warmed my heart and the Danish people deeply. We are very grateful for all the support we have received.

In the coming days we will work to fully clarify the circumstances of the attack. At the same time we will insist that people should go about their business as usual.

I am confident that Denmark will get through this both united and strong.

Denmark's Queen, Margrethe II, also released this statement:

It is with sorrow that I learn of the extent of the incidents of the last 24 hours. My thoughts go out to the killed film director and the young security guard from the Jewish community who became targets of the perpetrator's acts. I send my deepest sympathy to the relatives and to the wounded police officers.

I wish to direct thanks to the police and the authorities for their quick and effective efforts.

It is important that we, in such a serious situation, stand together and uphold the values that Denmark is founded upon.

The suspect in the shootings has been identified in Danish media as Omar El-Hussein, AFP reported.

The 22-year-old died in a shootout with police after the killings.

Police would not confirm the name, but said the suspect had a history of arrest and was linked to gangs.

A Danish tabloid reported that El-Hussein had been released from jail only two weeks ago. He had been serving time for assault.

In a statement, Danish authorities said the unnamed man was known to police due to a history of violence and several criminal offenses, including violations of the Arms Act.

Police also said the man killed outside Copenhagen's main synagogue early Sunday was a guard hired to protect the building.

Nørgaard, 55, had directed documentary shorts for Danish television.

The director of the Danish Film Institute, Henrik Bo Nielsen, said he was sad to learn of Nørgaard's murder during the free-speech event.

"It is essential that instructors and other artists actively participate in the public debate," Nielsen said, "not just with their works, but also as voters and participants in the debates that concern us all."

Nielsen said he was filled with "shock and anger" that Nørgaard lost his life participating in the democratic debate.

The Danish leader also released a statement on Facebook:

It is an infinitely sad morning, where we are all thinking about the victims and their families. Two innocent people have lost their lives as a result of a cynical terrorist act against Denmark.

Throughout the day and night, police acted quickly and with precision in order to ensure the safety of citizens. I'm happy and relieved that the police have neutralized the suspected perpetrator behind the two shootings. I will continue to urge all to follow police instructions and be vigilant.

I would like to express my deepest respect for the considerable efforts of the police and other authorities. This applies especially to the injured officers and their colleagues, who selflessly put themselves in danger in order to protect the rest of us.

The Government is following developments closely. No one should get away with attacking an open, free, and democratic society.

British Prime Minister David Cameron released this statement Sunday on the Copenhagen terror attacks:

The shootings in Copenhagen are an appalling attack on free speech and religious freedom. Two innocent people have been murdered simply for their beliefs and my thoughts are with their loved ones and all those injured at this tragic time.

Denmark and Britain are both successful multi-ethnic, multi-faith democracies and we must never allow those values to be damaged by acts of violence like this.

We offer our full support for the Danish Government and Danish people as they deal with these terrible incidents.

The cafe had been hosting a debate on free speech and blasphemy, organized in tribute to the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, whose staff were slaughtered by terrorists in early January for publishing images of the Prophet Muhammad.

France's ambassador to Denmark had been among those attending the event, but escaped uninjured.

Interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve visited the scene as Danish police said the Copenhagen gunman may have been inspired by the Paris attacks.

"We assume that it's the same culprit behind both incidents, and we also assume that the culprit that was shot by the police task force ... is the person behind both of these assassinations," Chief Police Inspector Torben Molgaard Jensen told a news conference, according to the BBC.

Police do not believe anyone else was involved in Saturday's shooting at a free-speech seminar in a Copenhagen cafe and an attack on the city's main synagogue early Sunday morning. Two people were killed in the attacks, while five police officers were among those injured.

In a statement, police said the man opened fire on police after being confronted at an address in the Nørrebro district. He died at the scene; no officers were injured in the confrontation.

Police announced Sunday morning that a man shot dead by officers near the Nørrebro train station was responsible for both shootings.

Police told the Associated Press they did not believe there were other gunmen involved in the attacks. In a press conference, Copenhagen Police Chief Superintendent Torben Mølgaard Jensen said the investigation was ongoing, Denmark's TV2 reported.

Images from late Saturday and early Sunday showed well-armed police in central Copenhagen, as parts of the city remained on lockdown.

Police shot a man near the Nørrebro train station Sunday morning. It was not immediately clear if the man was connected to either of the earlier shootings.

According to Denmark's TV2, police shot and killed the man at about 5 a.m.

A statement from police said that investigators were watching an address when the man arrived, TV2 reported. Police tried to speak to the man, but he opened fire. The officers then returned fire and killed the man.

No police were injured in shooting, according to TV2. An investigation was ongoing to see if the man is connected to one or both of the earlier shootings, which left a total of two people dead and several other injured.

Police said early Sunday morning that one of the three people shot at the Copenhagen synagogue had died.

Police announced the death at a news conference that was carried by local TV.

Police still were not sure Sunday morning if the synagogue shooting was linked to the earlier attack, the AP reported.

The U.S. condemned Saturday's shooting in a statement from National Security Council spokeswoman Bernadette Meehan:

The United States condemns today's deplorable shooting in Copenhagen. We offer our condolences to the loved ones of the deceased victim, and our thoughts are with those wounded in this attack. We have been in close contact with our Danish counterparts and stand ready to lend any assistance necessary to the investigation.

Shots were fired early Sunday morning at a Copenhagen synagogue, according to multiple reports. It was not immediately clear if the shooting was related to the earlier killing at the free-speech event.

Police said in a statement that one person was shot in the head, and two police officers were hit in their arms and legs, AFP reported. All three people were injured, the Associated Press reported.

The suspect reportedly fled the scene on foot, according to the AP.

Additional information was not immediately available. A tweet geotagged to Copenhagen showed an armored officer and in Danish said "Policeman wounded and man down in front of the Jewish synagogue":

Controversial cartoonist Lars Vilks said he believes he was the target of the terrorist attack.

Danish police said they are still working hard to track down the suspect.

"We are on high alert and there will be exceptional staff and police presence in Copenhagen all night," senior police inspector Jørgen Skov said in a statement.

"Exploration is also continuing at full stretch in collaboration with [national security agency] PET and the police," he said.

"We currently have no decisive news to tell in relation to the briefing I gave earlier in the evening."

European Council President Donald Tusk released the following statement on the Copenhagen attack:

Once again Europe is shocked by what appears to be another brutal terrorist attack targeted at our fundamental values and freedoms, including the freedom of expression. On behalf of the European Union, I wish to express our sympathy and support to Denmark and the Danish people in this situation and the victims and their families and relatives. Our determination to fight all kinds of extremism and terrorism is only strengthened by such attacks. This determination was confirmed by all EU leaders at our meeting in Brussels only two days ago. We will press forward with our new agreed priorities in the fight against terrorism. We will face this threat together.

"We feel certain now that it was a politically motivated attack, and thereby it was a terrorist attack," she told reporters.

"We are on high alert all over the country."

She also expressed her condolences to the family of those killed and injured.

"I'm so sorry it has happened. This is a cynical act of violence," she said, according to TV2.

The BBC captured this audio inside the Copenhagen cafe as the shooting started.

Denmark's PET security agency has released a news release on the shootings.

Everything indicates that the attack was planned, and the circumstances surrounding the shooting indicate that this is a terrorist attack.

PET is now assisting the Copenhagen Police in the investigation of the attack, and we therefore refer to the Copenhagen Police for further details.

The attack confirms that the terrorist threat against Denmark remains serious.

Police are seeking a man between the ages of 25 and 30 who is 6 feet tall with an athletic build.

Police say he is of Arabic appearance but with fair skin.

The man had covered the lower part of his face with a scarf when he opened fire with a 3-foot machine gun, according to police.

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius condemned the Copenhagen shooting as a "terrorist attack," Le Monde reported.

Paris was last month rocked by a deadly attack against the Charlie Hebdo newspaper, known for printing Prophet Muhammad cartoons, as well as a kosher supermarket.

Gunfire broke out at a Copenhagen cafe on Saturday where a free speech meeting was being held, Danish police confirmed.

One man was killed in the gunfire, and three police officers were hit and injured, police said in a press release.

The event was organized by Swedish artist Lars Vilks, who has faced threats for drawing caricatures of Prophet Muhammad. Police confirmed that he was not wounded in the shooting.

The French ambassador was also in attendance, but wrote on Twitter that he was "still alive."

The TV2 channel reported there were around 30 bullet holes in the window of the Krudttoenden cafe where the incident took place, and that at least two people were brought out from the cafe on stretchers.

Police believe there were two gunmen, both of whom fled the scene and were not taken into custody.

This story is developing. Check back for details and follow @BuzzFeedNews on Twitter.