Shooter kills two hunters and wounds another during Halden elk hunt

At the start of the elk hunt on Sunday morning, a hunting team in Halden was ambushed when Martin Braadland, 29, discharged several precise rounds at the group arranging guard duties. Witnesses described the attack as a "pure execution," resulting in the deaths of Per-Ove Engebretsen, 47, and Bjørn Rune Engebretsen, 72, and leaving a man in his 40s critically wounded, now in stable condition. Braadland admitted in a written statement to shooting the two victims and injuring the third, but he has refused police questioning.

The shooting has sent shockwaves through Østfold's hunting and fishing circles, with regional leaders like Ole-Håkon Heier of Norges Jeger- og Fiskerforbund Østfold noting a flood of phone calls and emotional distress. Local clubs such as Arbeidernes jeger- og fiskerforening Halden and Halden og Omegn Jeger- og Fiskerforening have opened their doors for counseling, and community gatherings have been held to honor the victims and support one another.