28-year-old sentenced to 7 years for shooting at Hells Angels clubhouse in Randers

A 28-year-old man has been sentenced to seven years in prison for firing an AK-47 assault rifle at a Hells Angels clubhouse in central Randers last year, the Danish public broadcaster DR reports.

Nikolaj Højby Andersen confessed in court on Friday to transporting and firing the weapon during the attack on the night of 24 January 2025. The clubhouse, located in a residential area, was hit by three shots from a fully automatic rifle. The site is close to a daycare centre, a supermarket, a primary school and a high school.

Andersen admitted he was affiliated with the banned street gang Loyal To Familia at the time. The court in Randers imposed the seven-year sentence, noting that the weapon was actually fired and that Andersen had a prior conviction for carrying a firearm in public. His criminal record also includes extortion, witness intimidation and multiple counts of assault.

Prosecutor Dorthe Lysgaard of East Jutland Police described the attack as cold-blooded. “When you use a weapon that dangerous and fire it in a public place, it is by nature cold-blooded,” she said.

Andersen received a reduced sentence for confessing and cooperating; without the discount he could have faced at least 10 years. He was also issued a five-year ban from Randers and several other areas where police believe Loyal To Familia is active.

Defence lawyer Tobias Engby said his client had been waiting to have the case concluded and is no longer affiliated with any criminal group. “He has admitted his involvement on that day. He is not part of any groups today,” Engby said.

Andersen gave his testimony behind closed doors because several other people remain charged or suspected in the case. In September last year, a 23-year-old gang member confessed to firing the three shots together with unnamed accomplices and was sentenced to six and a half years in prison. A third suspect is due to stand trial later this year.

The Hells Angels clubhouse had only been open for three days before the shooting. Police had previously imposed a gathering ban at the address due to a perceived conflict between Hells Angels and Loyal To Familia. After the shooting, Randers Municipality and East Jutland Police jointly introduced a so-called assembly ban, which forbade the rocker club from using the premises on Rådmands Boulevard. The building has since been sold.

In 2021, the Danish Supreme Court ruled that Loyal To Familia was an illegal association and ordered it dissolved. In 2025, a court in Helsingør ordered the Bandidos MC rocker club dissolved for similar reasons, though Bandidos has appealed the decision.

Tags: Denmark, gang violence, Hells Angels