Harald Kristiansen, a Coop spokesperson, told NRK there had been “a serious incident in our store” but none of its employees had been injured.

“We are providing assistance to our colleagues and helping police with their investigation,” he said.

Following the attacks, the police directorate said it had immediately ordered officers nationwide to carry firearms. Norwegian police are normally unarmed, but officers have access to guns and rifles when needed.

“This is an extra precaution. The police have no indication so far that there is a change in the national threat level,” the directorate said.

“We didn’t receive any reports of concern related to the detained person in 2021. However, there have been reports against him in the past, and police had followed them up,” Ole Bredrup Sæverud, chief of police in the South-Eastern district said. 

The Norwegian national broadcaster NRK reported that the accused had been convicted of burglary and purchased small quantities of hashish in 2012.