City councilor Raymond Johansen is taking a hard line against the shooting incidents in Oslo in recent months.
– We should not have it so that there is shooting in public space.
That’s what Raymond Johansen says to VG. At the weekend, there was a shooting incident in which two men were seriously injured.
The two are in their 30s and 40s and are former leaders in the criminal gang Young Guns, according to VG’s information.
The shots were fired in the center of Oslo, at a time when many people are walking in the streets.
– There is no doubt that many who are nearby feel scared and have anxiety as a result of this, says Johansen.
Three people have been charged – two of them are wanted nationally and internationally. According to VG’s information, one or more of the accused are linked to the international MC club Satudarah.
Concerns
The city council leader is concerned about the shooting incidents that take place in public spaces.
– I usually say that the most dangerous thing to be in Oslo is criminals. The vast majority of incidents are linked to internal settlements in the criminal circles, including what happened at the weekend. That doesn’t mean it’s any less terrifying. Oslo is supposed to be a safe city, and is a safe city, but being a criminal is unsafe.
Johansen has close contact with the police, and has set demands that they have sufficient resources to handle any situations.
– We must ensure that there are enough police resources. Oslo is in a completely unique situation compared to all other places in Norway.
Denies criminal liability
The Oslo police district is investigating the case this weekend as attempted murder. The man who has been arrested denies criminal guilt, says his defender Marius Ihlebæk.
– I am not aware that there is any relationship between him and the victims. He pleads not guilty. He is surprised that he was arrested, says the man’s defender, Marius Ihlebæk to VG.
The man, who is known to the police from before, has so far refused to allow himself to be questioned. The police will make new attempts to question him during the day.
Raymond’s message
Johansen has great faith that the police will get hold of those involved in this weekend’s shooting.
– There is full support for the police doing everything they can to catch those involved as quickly as possible. We have a project to take criminals out of the networks. There are other possibilities in life than being a criminal.
In the media, there have been several cases about the confiscation of weapons and the like. This worries the city council leader.
– We have seen pictures of weapon seizures and other things that can scare the hell out of flat ground. It is deeply worrying.
Several shooting incidents
In recent months, there have been several shooting incidents in Oslo.
In November, a man was found shot in a taxi outside Ikea in Furuset.
A group of children and staff in a kindergarten close to Furuset church witnessed the incident, said communications manager Torill Gulbrandsen in the district of Alna.
A couple of days later, a man in his 20s was shot and killed close to Grønland subway station.
– When we get to the scene, we find a man who has been shot. After a little while, it is considered that he is dead, operations manager Line Skott of the Oslo police told VG.
Good overview
According to Acting Chief of Police in the Oslo Police District, Cecilie Lilaas-Skari, the police have a good overview of the criminal networks in Oslo.
She tells VG that it is an important priority.
– We look at incidents of violence in public spaces with concern. The incident we had at the weekend is unacceptable, we shouldn’t have it like that.
– Is this a pressure cooker?
– It will always be important for us not to increase the tension, but this is something we are continuously working on. It is important for us to get this matter resolved as quickly as possible, concludes Lilaas-Skari.
