Vikersund man assaulted during dog walk, 18-year-old in custody

Last week, a man in his 50s was assaulted while walking his dog in a parking lot in Vikersund. On Wednesday, an 18-year-old was remanded in custody for four weeks in connection with the incident.

The father of the accused expressed his pain upon seeing the video of his son hitting the older man. He shared, “As a father, it hurts deeply. I can’t bear to watch the entire video.” He acknowledged that his son’s behavior had worsened over the past three years, moving from school fights to more serious issues. “He has made a mistake and needs to face consequences. It pains me to see him in jail, but rules are rules, and we must all adhere to them in Norway,” he noted regarding his son’s detention.

The 18-year-old has admitted to striking the man. His lawyer, Tom Barth-Hofstad, mentioned that the accused feels remorse for the suffering his actions have caused his family.

The father also reported that his workplace has experienced vandalism, which he believes is linked to his son’s situation. He described damage to banners and surveillance equipment and expressed confusion over why the community would punish his entire family for his son’s actions.

Calls have been made on social media for a boycott of the father’s workplace, and local authorities are taking the matter seriously, ensuring community safety is a top priority. The police chief condemned the vandalism, emphasizing that such retaliatory actions are unacceptable.

In response to the violence, several fundraising campaigns emerged on social media, aimed at supporting the victim and hiring security to patrol the Vikersund area. However, one of these initiatives was removed shortly after being launched, highlighting the tensions within the community.