Shooting in Kolding leaves man wheelchair-bound after attempted murder by teen in gang-related incident

A 25-year-old man has been left dependent on a wheelchair and a walker after being shot multiple times in the legs on July 31. Since the incident, he has endured not only physical pain but also nightmares and has been largely confined to his small room in Kolding Municipality, only venturing outside three times in four weeks.

The shooting occurred in Vejrupsgade, and shortly thereafter, a 17-year-old Swedish boy of Palestinian descent was arrested and charged with attempted murder, although he has pleaded not guilty. Experts suggest that the shooting may be linked to an ongoing gang conflict involving young recruits from Sweden, as recruiting local youths has become increasingly difficult due to historically low juvenile crime rates in Denmark.

The victim, who wishes to remain anonymous for safety reasons, denies any ties to gangs or conflicts. Once outgoing and engaged in music and theater, the man now struggles with anxiety and trauma. He recalls being shot while visiting Kolding to return a rental car and buy cannabis for personal use. When he approached the seller, he noticed someone in a mask with a gun who began shooting.

Despite being caught in a violent situation, he insists he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. The shooting has prompted him to reconsider his use of cannabis, stating he will never smoke it again.

The victim, a Syrian refugee hoping to escape violence, now grapples with the irony that he was shot in Denmark by someone with a similar background. He seeks answers for why he was targeted, asserting he has no connections to criminal elements. The police are currently investigating the case comprehensively but have not commented on potential links to gang conflicts.