Police in Iceland shot and killed a man Monday morning in what is reportedly the first ever gun-related killing by Icelandic police.
"Police in the capital Reykjavik say a man was shooting at them with a rifle from inside an apartment. ... A special armed unit then entered and fired at the man, who later died from his wounds in hospital." (Via Al Jazeera)
Around 5 a.m. local time the man reportedly started shooting at random from his apartment window. Two police were injured in the gunfire, though their injuries aren't believed to be serious. (Via Visir)
The BBC reports police originally used tear gas to try and subdue the 59-year-old man. A police chief told reporters, "Police regret this incident and would like to extend their condolences to the family of the man."
Iceland has an estimated population of 315,000 people and has a very low crime and gun ownership rate. Police officers themselves rarely carry guns in the country. The country earned its independence in 1944, meaning, according to reports, police haven't shot and killed anyone in nearly 70 years. (Via Euronews)
The Huffington Post points out there were only 1.25 gun related deaths in Iceland per 100,000 people in 2009. In comparison, there were 10.22 per 100,000 — more than eight times as many — in the U.S. during the same time period.
