A Danish appeals court has sentenced a 41-year-old man to 12 years in prison for attempted murder. The conviction stems from a highway shooting where he fired at least six shots at another motorist on the Helsingør Motorway in late September 2023.
The convicted man, Morten Jørgensen, was driving in the middle lane when he flashed his lights at a car ahead. He wanted the driver to move over so he could pass. Instead, the front car braked suddenly. This prompted Jørgensen to pull out a handgun, according to his earlier court testimony.
None of the bullets struck the other driver directly. However, the car's windows shattered from the gunfire. Police officers found the victim in shock and difficult to interview when they arrived at the scene.
Jørgensen previously told the court about his military background. He also mentioned membership in a shooting club for over 15 years.
The Eastern High Court's ruling confirms an earlier judgment from the Lyngby City Court. Jørgensen had appealed that decision, arguing his actions constituted endangerment rather than attempted murder. The appeals court disagreed and upheld the original conviction.
Defense lawyer Kristian Mølgaard expressed his client's disappointment with the verdict. He stated their position that the shots were aimed at the car door, not the cabin, using a small caliber weapon. Mølgaard explained to reporters that his client intended to scare the other driver, not kill anyone, after feeling harassed in traffic.
Jørgensen claimed he feared the other motorist might hit his car. He said he tried to frighten the driver away.
The court also convicted Jørgensen on weapons possession charges. Police discovered multiple firearms in his car trunk and apartment during their investigation. The collection included a butterfly knife, a neck knife, a throwing star, a metal axe, and several guns.
This case highlights how quickly road rage can escalate into life-threatening violence, particularly when firearms are readily available. The lengthy prison sentence reflects the seriousness of using weapons to settle traffic disputes.