By: Max Liu

On Saturday, 2 people died and 21 were wounded in what police think was an Islamic terrorist attack on the LGBTQ community within Oslo.

There were three consecutive shootings, including one at a gay bar, where a 42-year-old man Norwegian was arrested after being charged with murder.

The shooter was Zaniar Matapour, an immigrant who moved from Iran; because of his middle-eastern ethnicity, his motives were associated with acts of terrorism by the police.

In total, 10 people were badly injured while 11 people were slightly wounded. Two weapons – a pistol and an automatic rifle – were the main causes of the tragedy. Thankfully, the attacker was arrested later that day.

Because of the incident, Oslo’s pride parade, which was scheduled on Saturday, was cancelled.

The BBC reported that: “The terror alert level in Norway was raised to its highest level.”

“We had expected an enthusiastic parade through our streets or people celebrating pride after three years of pandemic and other standstills,” Norway’s Prime Minister John Gahr Stoere laments after having to cancel the parade. “Instead, we have a dark day where terror stuck tonight.”

Later, Crowds gathered outside and dropped off cards and flowers at impromptu memorials.

Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit attended the church service, and the cathedral was decorated with brightly-colored flowers and rainbow flags.

Harald V of Norway said he and his family were “horrified by the night’s shooting tragedy … We sympathize with all relatives and affected and send warm thoughts to all who are now scared, restless and in grief,” he said.