Two men charged over fatal shooting of innocent bystander

Two men aged 31 and 33 have been charged with the murder of a 21 year old man who was shot at a petrol station in Viby four years ago, DR reports.

Søren Koch was sitting in his car one night in March 2022 when he was shot and killed. Police believe he was an innocent victim caught up in a gang conflict.

The charges concern murder under particularly aggravating circumstances, under section 81 a of the Danish Criminal Code, known as the gang provision.

The case follows a lengthy investigation. One of the men was charged in November 2022. The other was arrested by police in Northern Ireland in Belfast in September 2024 and extradited to Denmark in May 2026 after a lengthy extradition process.

Also in May, police received information that the murder weapon had been thrown into the harbour in Vejle. Divers were sent into the harbour, but it is unclear whether a weapon was found.

Senior prosecutor Rikke Schmit said the investigation had provided enough evidence for charges to be brought. The case will now be presented to a court, which will assess the evidence and reach a decision.

Both defendants deny the charges. It is not yet known when the trial will take place.