Police in Copenhagen's western suburbs have released one of two men arrested following a fatal shooting at a gas station in Ishøj. The 31-year-old victim died on Friday after being shot multiple times.
The 35-year-old suspect was released on Monday afternoon after being held for three days. He had maintained his innocence throughout the investigation. The court typically extends detention when they need more time to consider pre-trial custody requests.
His 34-year-old relative remains in custody, charged with firing the shots that killed the victim. Both men share the same surname and appeared together in a constitutional hearing at Glostrup Court on Saturday.
The 34-year-old faces murder charges despite denying any wrongdoing. Prosecutors allege both men planned the killing together before the shooting occurred.
According to the charges read aloud in court, the incident began outside the Q8 station on Ishøj Stationsvej. The 34-year-old allegedly first shot at the victim outside the gas station. The wounded man then ran inside the convenience store, pursued by the suspect who fired three additional shots. One bullet struck the victim's shoulder while another hit his head.
Both suspects remain under a court-ordered name ban, preventing media from publishing identifying information. The constitutional hearing proceeded behind closed doors, keeping witness statements and police evidence confidential.
This case highlights Denmark's generally low but concerning gun violence rates. While the country maintains strict firearm regulations, incidents like this shooting raise questions about illegal weapons circulation in suburban areas. The Copenhagen suburbs have seen occasional violent conflicts in recent years, though fatal shootings remain relatively rare compared to other European capitals.
The judicial process now continues with the 34-year-old remaining in pre-trial detention. Danish law allows for custody extensions while investigations proceed, particularly in serious violent crimes where flight risk or evidence tampering concerns exist. Police continue their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the planned killing and the relationship between all involved parties.
International readers should understand that Denmark's legal system operates differently from common law countries. The constitutional hearing represents an early judicial review of detention rather than a full trial. The name ban provision also differs from practices in many other countries, reflecting Scandinavia's balance between press freedom and privacy rights.
The case continues to develop as investigators work to establish motives and complete evidence collection. The released 35-year-old remains a person of interest though currently faces no formal charges.