A momentous, if macabre, event in Iceland's history transpired Monday when police engaged in an exchange of gunfire with a suspect. The man, who was firing at cars from his window, was killed in the altercation marking Iceland first fatal shooting.
Police responded to a call reporting the suspect was targeting and shooting at vehicles from his apartment window. Iceland's finest tried to subdue with tear gas. When that failed to stop him policemen fired at the suspect, and he was incapacitated. The man was sent to the hospital where he died from his injuries. The Iceland first fatal shooting incident occurred in the country's capital of Reykjavik.
The victim, who was 59 years old, was not immediately identified and became the first fatality in the country's history ever since the time of the Vikings. The entire police force extended their condolences to the family of the deceased. Iceland first fatal shooting opened an investigation into the rare use of firearms but the authorities.
Iceland's low crime rate is reportedly attributed to the absence of class distinctions with about 97% of the population considering themselves as middle class. The country has one of the lowest crime rates in the world despite having 90,000 guns registered among its 315,000 people. Owning a gun in Iceland is a relatively rigorous process involving medical and written tests.
Two officers were injured in the melee when special forces entered the apartment building to subdue the suspect. Police officers only began carrying guns in 2011 according to the Iceland Review. National Police Commissioner Haraldur Johannessen reported in a press conference that the encounter had no precedent in the country. While it isn't the first time a shooter was present in the country or police fired at one, it is Iceland first fatal shooting in modern history.
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