Gunman kills 2, wounds 20 in Oslo

The suspect, whom authorities identified as a 42-year-old Norwegian citizen originally from Iran, opened fire at three different locations around the city early Saturday during a pro-LGBTQ festival.  One of the shootings took place at the London Pub, a popular gathering spot for people who identify as LGBT. The organizers of the Oslo Pride parade canceled the Saturday event because of the attack.

What was the motive? Police called the shootings an Islamist terrorist act, although the shooter refused to divulge his motive. They said they became aware of the suspect back in 2015, fearing he had become radicalized by an unspecified Islamist network. Authorities also said he had a long history of mental illness, as well as a track record of violence and threats.

Dig deeper: Read A.S. Ibrahim’s column in WORLD Opinions about the clash between Islam and the LGBTQ agenda.