A 24-year-old man from Funen who was shot in the leg by police after a car chase in Haderslev has been charged with attempted murder. He was released Sunday evening without being brought before a judge.
Avisen Danmark reports that Syd- og Sønderjyllands Politi announced the charge on Monday afternoon. The man was shot and arrested on Sunday morning after a pursuit in Haderslev in southern Jutland.
According to the newspaper, he was released Sunday evening because police did not have grounds to request pre-trial detention. Officers have not yet questioned him about the charge, as Den Uafhængige Politiklagemyndighed must interview him first. Police have not stated who he is accused of trying to kill.
The duty officer for the police district, Rikke Rosenberg, has no further comments on the case. In a press release on Sunday, Syd- og Sønderjyllands Politi said patrols from Sydøstjyllands Politi began the pursuit before it continued into the neighboring district. The car was stopped at the junction of Norgesvej and Moltrup Landevej, where officers fired warning shots and then shots.
The same press release states that the man was hit in the leg, taken to hospital and was not in life-threatening condition. Berlingske, citing Ritzau, adds that police have not disclosed the alleged target of the attempted murder charge.
Police appeal for witnesses
Syd- og Sønderjyllands Politi is asking for witnesses to the driving of a grey Citroën C4 between about 9:40 and 9:55 on Sunday. The route ran from the Vojens exit on the Sønderjyske Motorvej, east along Ribevej and toward Moltrup Landevej, up to the stop near Norgesvej. People with information are asked to call 114.
The part of the case concerning the officers’ use of firearms has been handed to Den Uafhængige Politiklagemyndighed. As reported by Nyheder24, the oversight body was notified at 10:03 on Sunday and will send its conclusions to the Regional Public Prosecutor in Viborg.
TV SYD reports that several local witnesses heard around four shots near the junction where the car was stopped. Police have confirmed only that warning shots and shots were fired, without specifying the number.
JydskeVestkysten notes that Moltrup Landevej near the E45, Skallebækvej and Ribe Landevej were closed for several hours on Sunday. The outlet also reports that police have not disclosed what led to the pursuit, and Nyheder24 writes that the reason remains unclear.
The case is one of a small number of Danish incidents each year in which police discharge firearms, a factor often raised in discussions of safety and crime rates in the country. Both investigations, against the 24-year-old and into the officers’ use of force, are ongoing.
