A reformed Danish gang leader has died from gunshot wounds he sustained as he left the launch of a book about how he had turned his life around.
Nedim Yasar, 31, was shot on Nov. 19 in the Danish capital Copenhagen by a suspect who fled on foot, according to police.
Yasar later died in the hospital from his injuries. A day later, his memoir “Rødder” (“Roots”) was published. The book tells the story of Yasar as he leaves the world of gangs and crime.
The shooting happened just after 7.30 p.m. local time, with the suspect, who was dressed in dark clothing, firing “at least two shots,” according to the Copenhagen Police.
Police said they are investigating the shooting and asking witnesses to come forward.
Yaser previously told police that someone had tried to assault him in 2017.
Police said Yaser used to lead the Los Guerreros criminal gang involved in the drugs trade. “Los Guerreros” is Spanish for “warriors.”
‘Sad and Infinitely Meaningless’
Søren Pape Poulsen, Denmark’s justice minister, wrote on Twitter: “How sad and infinitely meaningless. I met Nedim once. I met a man who with all his heart wanted to create and new life and make a difference for others. My thoughts and compassion go to his friends and family.”He added, “It goes without saying that this terrible tragedy begs the question of whether we as a society have the right protection for those who want to step out of the shadows and back into society.”
“Nedim had nuance and experience of one of the most important questions faced by our society: what should be done about crime and gang crime,” Ramskov told Ritzau.
“He was an important and mature witness who had broken free and found a way out. Not just for himself, but so he could share his story with others,” he added.
Danish police reported a record number of gang-related shootings last year, with some politicians linking the rise to the issues around integrating non-Western immigrants.
In recent months there have been several arrests over gang-related shootings in Denmark. Police say these violent incidents are connected with an internal split in a gang known as Brothas.
And on Sept. 4, Danish police temporarily banned a criminal gang called Loyal to Familia (LTF), meaning anyone wearing clothing featuring the LTF logo or promoting the organization could be imprisoned for up to two years.
Police say LTF was involved in a series of shootings and violence throughout 2017.
The ban will be in place until legal procedures against the gang are completed.
Justice Minister Søren Pape Poulsen said in a statement, “As a society, we must be tough on gang crime and make life for gangs as difficult as possible. It is historical that LTF is being banned from today.”