Fires hit containers and cars after police shooting in Tingbjerg

Several people set fire to waste containers, vehicles and a community hall in Tingbjerg, a Copenhagen neighbourhood, overnight after police shot a 22-year-old driver during a pursuit on Saturday, DR reported.

Nicolai Ullits, duty officer with the Copenhagen Police, told Ritzau that the incidents were “serious pranks” linked to the police presence in the neighbourhood.

The fires began around midnight with several containers. A community hall and multiple cars were later set alight. Stones were also thrown at firefighters who arrived to put out the blazes.

Police do not yet know how many people were involved, and no arrests have been made. Ullits said those responsible were running around, starting fires and hiding, adding that there were many places to hide in Tingbjerg.

No one was injured during the overnight incidents. Police remained in the area to allow firefighters to work safely and to try to arrest those responsible.

Shortly after 3am, Ullits described the situation as relatively calm. Firefighting was nearly complete, and both firefighters and police were preparing to leave the area.

The 22-year-old driver who was shot during Saturday’s pursuit is in hospital in stable condition.