Targeted Killing in Bergen: Police Hunt Perpetrator, Reassure Public
The investigation into the Sunday evening murder of a man in his 20s in Arna, Bergen, continues at “full strength,” with police urging the public to remain vigilant but not to fixate on early media depictions of potential suspects.
The death of the Afghan citizen, who arrived in Norway in 2021, has sparked both a police manhunt and anxieties within the Afghan community in Bergen. Authorities believe the killing was targeted, and while the perpetrator remains at large, they emphasize there is currently no indication of a broader threat to the public.
Investigation Intensifies, Multiple Leads Pursued
During a press conference on Tuesday, police prosecutor Inger Lise Høyland stated that the perpetrator is still at large and that investigators are not ruling out the possibility of multiple individuals being involved. The West police district is receiving assistance from both Kripos – Norway’s national criminal investigation service – and the PST, the country’s security service.
The deceased, who had established himself as a mechanic after fleeing Afghanistan, lived with his wife in Arna. She sustained minor injuries and is scheduled to be questioned by police on Tuesday. According to Høyland, the manner of the murder strongly suggests the victim was specifically targeted.
Public Asked to Provide Information, Disregard Early Descriptions
Police have already received over 40 tips from the public following a request for information regarding anyone who may have been in the Arna area between 8:30 PM and midnight on Sunday. However, authorities are cautioning against relying too heavily on descriptions of the suspect that have circulated in the media.
“We don’t want the public to lock onto the description given,” Høyland explained. “This person may have changed clothes and have different movements than what has been conveyed. There may also be other people involved.” The police are actively seeking information on all movements in the area, including any potential weapons or objects used in the crime.
Exploring Multiple Hypotheses, Including Military Background
Investigators are currently working with several hypotheses regarding the motive for the murder. The man’s background in Afghanistan, where witnesses report he previously served in the military, is a key area of focus.
“The man’s background from Afghanistan is of course of interest to us,” Høyland stated. “But we are also looking at whether the murder is connected to the deceased’s private affairs here at home.”
An autopsy is scheduled to be conducted at the Gades Institute at Haukeland University Hospital on Tuesday, but police are currently withholding details regarding the nature of the injuries sustained by the victim.
Community Fears, Police Reassurance
The incident has understandably caused fear within the Afghan community in Bergen. Zakia Mohammadi, a friend of the deceased, described him as a “caring and kind person” who sought refuge in Norway after the Taliban seized power in 2021. “Many will try to forget what they have experienced in Afghanistan,” she said, expressing the anxiety felt by many in the community.
Despite these concerns, Høyland reiterated that there is no reason for the general public to be afraid. “There are circumstances which indicate that this is aimed at the deceased. I think that implies that other people do not need to be afraid. If this is targeted, then it cannot affect random people,” she asserted.
A neighbor, Chris André Isager, recounted discovering the man lying on the ground after hearing a noise on Sunday evening. He described the scene as “one of the worst things I have experienced.” Isager reported seeing a person fleeing the scene, a tip police are currently investigating.
The investigation remains a highest priority for Norwegian authorities, and police are continuing to question individuals who knew the victim, as well as conducting further inquiries in the neighborhood.
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