By Jan M. Olsen

A man armed with a bow and arrows killed several people and wounded others Wednesday near the Norwegian capital of Oslo before he was arrested, authorities said.

The police chief in the town of Kongsberg said there was “a confrontation” between officers and the assailant, but he did not elaborate. He said there were several deaths but offered no details.

Norwegian broadcaster NRK reported that at least four people were dead.

“The man who carried out the act has been arrested by the police, and there is no active search for more people. Based on the information we have, there is one person behind this,” Police Chief Oeying Aas said.

Acting Prime Minister Erna Solberg described the attack as “gruesome” and said it was too early to speculate on the man's motive. The prime minister-designate, Jonas Gahr Stoere, who is expected to take office Thursday, called the assault “a cruel and brutal act” in comments to Norwegian news agency NTB.

Police were alerted to the attack around 6:30 p.m. and arrested the suspect about 20 minutes later. The community is 66 kilometers (41 miles) southwest of Oslo.

According to police, the suspect walked around the city shooting at people with arrows. Several people were wounded in shops, Aas said.

The man has not been questioned yet, Aas said.

City officials invited people who were affected by the attack and their relatives to gather for support at a local hotel.

The attack comes over a decade after Anders Behring Breivik, a right-wing extremist, set off a bomb in Oslo’s government district and then carried out a shooting massacre at the summer camp of the left-wing Labor Party’s youth organization on Utoya island. The violence on July 22, 2011, killed 77 people and stunned Norway.

Breivik was sentenced to 21 years in prison, the maximum under Norwegian law, but his term can be extended as long as he’s considered a danger to society.

Share:
More In Culture
Tips on Sticking to Your New Year's Resolution
With the new year right around the corner, people are starting to set lofty goals for 2022. However, research shows that very few people actually attain their new year's goals, and with the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic, it may be even tougher this year. Sandee Sgarlata, expert happiness coach and author of 'Happiness Solved,' joined Cheddar News to offer tips on how to actually help your 2022 resolutions stick.
The Growing Popularity of RVs, Camper Vans, and the Travel Experience Economy
On this episode of Cheddar Reveals, Jen Young, Outdoorsy co-founder and CMO, breaks down the travel industry trend towards RVs and camper vans, and how the evolution of work-from-home culture has caused it to jump; Nick DiBella, Senior Vice President of Operations for Sun Outdoors, discusses why transforming into an outdoor hospitality company was so crucial at this time, the evolution of outdoor travel, and what this means for the future of the travel industry; Cheddar gets a look at Curiosity Stream's 'The Woodstock Bus.'
Growing Popularity of the Travel Experience Economy
Nick DiBella, Senior Vice President of Operations for Sun Outdoors, joins Cheddar Reveals to discuss why transforming into an outdoor hospitality company was so crucial at this time, the evolution of outdoor travel, and what this means for the future of the travel industry.
The Growing Popularity of RVs and Camper Vans
Jen Young, Outdoorsy co-founder and CMO, joins Cheddar Reveals to discuss the travel industry trend towards RVs and camper vans, and how the evolution of work-from-home culture has caused it to jump.
Most Anticipated Films Releasing in December
'West Side Story' is off to a slow start, the film debuted with $10.5 million. Thom Geier, executive editor at the Wrap, joins Cheddar News to discuss the movies people should be looking forward to and the overall state of the industry.
12 Terms of 2021: Yolo Trade
Cheddar is looking back at the 12 biggest buzzwords of the year leading up to Christmas. Today's word of the day, 'Yolo Trade.' Yolo Trade: (noun) derived from the acronym 'You Only Live Once.' Describes a trade where someone goes all in on a stock.
How to Maximize Your Credit Card Rewards Usage
Matt Schulz, Chief Credit Analyst at LendingTree, joins Cheddar to break down the different types of credit card rewards that are out there, which states utilize rewards more than others, and how to get the most out of your credit card rewards.
Load More