Students at Roskilde Gymnasium met Monday to discuss the future of the annual puttefest, days after a 16-year-old boy was fatally stabbed near the party in Roskilde.
DR reports that pupils at Roskilde Gymnasium returned Monday to a subdued school day. The unofficial puttefest gathers new students from all of the city’s gymnasier in Folkeparken. On Friday, it ended with the death of a 16-year-old boy from a neighboring school.
According to DR’s earlier reporting, police were alerted at 17:33 to a stabbing near Folkeparken on Louisevej. The boy was flown to Rigshospitalet, where his life could not be saved. A 16-year-old suspect was arrested the same day.
Politiken reports that the victim was a newly enrolled 1.g student at Himmelev Gymnasium. A court found reasonable suspicion against the 16-year-old suspect and remanded him to a closed youth institution. Per Politiken’s court reporting, the suspect denies guilt.
Midt- og Vestsjællands Politi has described the case as an internal dispute between two 16-year-olds, DR reports. Police say it does not currently appear connected to broader criminal environments. Sjællandske Nyheder adds that police have warned against sharing videos of the stabbing circulating on social media, and have asked witnesses to hand recordings to investigators.
Students want the tradition kept
Josefine Houmann Hansen, a second-year student, told DR that police and natteravne were clearly visible at the party. She said she felt safe, but accepts that security should be strengthened after Friday’s incident. Her classmate Olivia Lundberg Rosgaard said an official party at the school would be fine, but meeting students from the other gymnasier is something else entirely.
The student council’s chair group met Monday to discuss what should happen to the school’s puttefest. Representative Villads Kirkegaard said he fears a ban would make the intro party more uncontrolled. He wants the gymnasier and school management involved in informing new students about the event.
According to the student council, the drinking culture during the intro period is the main issue. Representative Madicken Nordenhof Hinke said some new first-year students have never tried alcohol and suddenly face pressure to fit in. DR notes that puttefester have been criticized in recent years for promoting a heavy drinking culture.
B.T. reports that Himmelev Gymnasium is offering crisis counselling and support to its students after the death. Sjællandske Nyheder has documented a large police presence around Folkeparken and local gymnasier in the days since, as well as flowers laid at the scene.
DR links Monday’s student council meeting directly to Friday’s incident. Both students interviewed said they hope the puttefest tradition continues, with a stronger focus on responsibility and safety.
