Overview

Espen Andersen Braathen is the Danish perpetrator of the October 13, 2021 attack in Kongsberg, Norway.“Norway: Bow-and-arrow attack victims likely stabbed to death,” Associated Press, October 18, 2021, https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/norway-bow-arrow-attack-victims-stabbed-death-80642307. Braathen—who used a bow and arrow, as well as stabbing weapons to carry out the attack—killed five and injured three others before being apprehended by police.Vasco Cotovio, James Frater and Lianne Kolirin, “Suspect charged after 5 killed in bow and arrow attack in Norway, police say,” CNN, October 14, 2021, https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/13/europe/kongsberg-norway-attack-intl/index.html; “Norway: Bow-and-arrow attack victims likely stabbed to death,” Associated Press, October 18, 2021, https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/norway-bow-arrow-attack-victims-stabbed-death-80642307.

According to police, Braathen, who is a convert to Islam, has had a history of being “in and out of” health institutions.“Norway Bow-and-Arrow Attack Suspect Transferred to Health Service,” Voice of America, October 15, 2021, https://www.voanews.com/a/norway-bow-and-arrow-suspect-facing-custody-hearing/6271854.html. Although a Danish citizen, Braathen lived in Kongsberg for most of his life and had been convicted several times in the past.“Norway Bow-and-Arrow Attack Suspect Transferred to Health Service,” Voice of America, October 15, 2021, https://www.voanews.com/a/norway-bow-and-arrow-suspect-facing-custody-hearing/6271854.html. Braathen was convicted of burglary and cannabis possession in 2012. Furthermore, in 2017, a friend flagged videos to law enforcement that Braathen posted online. In the videos, Braathen confirmed he was a Muslim and that he was a “messenger” with a “warning” and added that “the time has come.” According to media sources, it is unclear how authorities responded to Braathen’s videos or whether they continued to monitor him.“Espen Andersen Braathen: What we know so far about suspected Norway bow and arrow killer,” Sky News, October 15, 2021, https://news.sky.com/story/espen-andersen-brathen-what-we-know-so-far-about-suspected-norway-bow-and-arrow-killer-12433780; “Suspect in the Norway bow-and-arrow attacks faces court hearing,” Associated Press, October 15, 2021, https://www.npr.org/2021/10/15/1046282373/suspect-in-the-norway-bow-and-arrow-attacks-faces-court-hearing.

In 2020, Braathen reportedly threatened to kill one of his parents and then refused to leave their home. A court then granted a six-month restraining order for Braathen to stay away from his parents. Upon investigation of the incident, police discovered a Colt revolver left by Braathen and concluded that Braathen was a potential risk to his family.“Espen Andersen Braathen: What we know so far about suspected Norway bow and arrow killer,” Sky News, October 15, 2021, https://news.sky.com/story/espen-andersen-brathen-what-we-know-so-far-about-suspected-norway-bow-and-arrow-killer-12433780.

On October 13, 2021, Braathen carried a bow and arrow as well as stabbing weapons into a Co-op supermarket and other locations in Kongsberg. According to police, Braathen randomly selected victims and subsequently used arrows to wound his victims before stabbing them.“Norway: Bow-and-arrow attack victims likely stabbed to death,” Associated Press, October 18, 2021, https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/norway-bow-arrow-attack-victims-stabbed-death-80642307. Braathen killed five and injured three victims before being apprehended by police.“Norway: Bow-and-arrow attack victims likely stabbed to death,” Associated Press, October 18, 2021, https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/norway-bow-arrow-attack-victims-stabbed-death-80642307. Police believe Braathen acted alone, but revealed the attack would be treated as an act of terror as the suspect had converted to Islam and was previously in contact with police due to concerns related to radicalization. Given the seriousness of the incident, the police in Norway—who do not normally carry firearms but do have access—were given a temporary order to carry firearms as a precaution.James Frater and Laura Smith-Spark, “Suspect in Norway attack named as police say they're treating it as terrorism,” CNN, October 14, 2021, https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/14/europe/norway-kongsberg-attack-intl/index.html;  Vasco Cotovio, James Frater and Lianne Kolirin, “Suspect charged after 5 killed in bow and arrow attack in Norway, police say,” CNN, October 14, 2021, https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/13/europe/kongsberg-norway-attack-intl/index.html.

Following the attack, media sources reported that Braathen’s neighbors had previously seen Braathen practice “brutal” martial arts in his garden as well as train with weapons such as a club or baton.“Espen Andersen Braathen: What we know so far about suspected Norway bow and arrow killer,” Sky News, October 15, 2021, https://news.sky.com/story/espen-andersen-brathen-what-we-know-so-far-about-suspected-norway-bow-and-arrow-killer-12433780. According to investigators, Braathen acknowledged killing the victims. Following an assessment of his mental health situation, on October 14, 2021, Braathen was transferred into the care of health services. The next day, a court ruled that Braathen could be held up for up to four weeks in pre-trial detention.“Norway Bow-and-Arrow Attack Suspect Transferred to Health Service,” Voice of America, October 15, 2021, https://www.voanews.com/a/norway-bow-and-arrow-suspect-facing-custody-hearing/6271854.html.