- Welcome Guest |
- Publish Article |
- Blog |
- Login
Anders Behring Breivik, age 32, may have started his day as a farmer, among other things, but ended it in custody and joining the ranks of histories most hated and feared men. Breivik is reportedly the mastermind behind the horrible bombing in Oslo as well as the mass shooting on Utoya Island. Those two events have left at least 92 people dead and several others remain missing. The death toll could rise as searches in both locations continue.
Investigators are just starting to put the pieces together in the attacks, started when a car exploded in front of government buildings in downtown Oslo. That explosion killed at least seven people and destroyed or seriously damaged several buildings in the immediate area. The damage has been described as so serious to many of the structures that search and rescue missions have all but been called off for fear that they are going to collapse at any minute. Officials already know that there are bodies left to be removed from these structures but wonder if there are any possible survivors. The more time that passes, the less likely it is that anyone will be pulled from the rubble alive.
While authorities were dealing with the chaos and confusion in the downtown area, Breivik reportedly made his way to the Utoya Island Youth camp just twenty miles away. Dressed as a police officer, Breivik asked to address the group who were just then learning about what had happened in the capital city. After being granted permission to speak, he opened fire, shooting for over an hour as people scrambled for escape. As many as 85 people were shot and killed on the island while several drowned while trying to swim to safety. Rescuers pulled many survivors from the water but the water will continue to be searched for remaining bodies. Breivik was armed with an automatic weapon and at least one handgun during his deadly rampage.
Survivors report that in the confusion, some of the victims ran to Breivik, possibly thinking he was testing them in some way while others tried to run and to hide.
Breivik is being described as a Right Wing Christian fundamentalist who had previously expressed major issues with Norway’s multi-cultural society. Officials are saying that the attack was possibly politically motivated but continue to ask whether there was additional people involved in the dual attacks. Breivik reportedly had several videos posted on You Tube.
Currently, he is being held and is reportedly participating in all questioning by officials. His attorney has said that Breivik is “ready to answer everything in court on Monday.” Breivik also reportedly has said that he felt what has happened was “horrible” but necessary.
A man fitting Breivik’s description had purchased over six tons of fertilizer from an agricultural cooperative company in May, but the purchase was not deemed to be unusual or particularly noteworthy because the man was a farmer.
Article Views: 1461 Report this Article