Norway Police Respond to 12-Hour Standoff in Bergen
Bergen, Norway – A tense 12.5-hour standoff unfolded in the Hordvik neighborhood of Åsane, Bergen, on Thursday, culminating in the arrest of a man in his 40s. The incident began after police received reports of gunfire at approximately 0905 local time.
Escalation and Arrest
According to Kjetil Øyri, Chief of Staff, between 50 and 60 officers from the West police district were involved in the operation, supported by national aid resources including police helicopters and the Emergency Response Team. The suspect, armed with multiple firearms – including weapons with “great damage potential” and a bow and arrow – had barricaded himself inside a residence and refused to comply with police instructions.
“The perpetrator had entrenched himself and showed no signs of following the police’s instructions. We had sporadic contact with him and he seemed unstable,” stated Øyri.
Police utilized CS gas and explosives to gain control of the situation, and a fire broke out at the property during the operation. While the cause of the fire is still under investigation, Øyri indicated that the police’s countermeasures “may have been a contributing factor,” but clarified that setting the property ablaze was not intentional.
Charges and Investigation
The arrested man is currently charged with making serious threats with a firearm against the police. Prosecutor Katrine Engelsgjerd Eikestad indicated that the charges may be extended to include attempted murder, given reports of shots fired towards neighboring buildings and individuals.
The suspect has been admitted to Haukeland Hospital following his arrest and will remain there until further notice. “In light of the dramatic nature of the case and the development, it is natural that the police likewise investigate the man’s state of health and his mental health,” Engelsgjerd Eikestad explained.
Authorities have stated that there was no prior indication that the man should have had his weapons license revoked. He was reportedly an active member of a shooting club and legally registered several firearms.
The investigation is ongoing, focusing on clarifying the suspect’s movements, identifying any potential contacts, and determining the motive behind the incident. As of now, police have found no evidence of other individuals being involved.
Resources Deployed
The operation involved a significant deployment of resources, including three helicopters dispatched from Oslo and the armored special vehicle known as the “Gurkha.” Espen Strai, Avdelingsdirektør for kommunikasjon ved Politiets Fellestjenester (PFT), confirmed the ongoing dialogue with the Swedish supplier, Marell, regarding the resolution of issues with the police boat Marell M12, though this is unrelated to the current incident.
Bertil Hast Rønnestad has been appointed as the suspect’s defense attorney but had not yet made contact with his client as of Thursday at noon.