Repeated warnings about gunman ignored before hostage incident

The man suspected of holding a tourist hostage on Hverfisgata had been repeatedly flagged as a danger following his release from prison in mid-September last year. He has multiple prior convictions, including for rape and unlawful deprivation of liberty, and served his entire sentence in prison—not released on parole due to concerns about his mental health and behavior.

While incarcerated, the man spent extended periods in secure custody and isolation, and upon his release, prison authorities sent a warning to the government recommending specialized post-release resources be arranged. In response, ministries reached out to the City of Reykjavík, but social services were not equipped to handle an individual deemed both dangerous and ill.

“We have warned authorities in cases where individuals are in a vulnerable state upon release,” said Prison Director Birgir Jónasson. “But there is a lack of clear resources and support systems.”

"He won’t get better overnight"

Guðmundur Ingi Þóroddsson, chairman of the prisoner advocacy group Afstaða , said warnings about the gunman had been issued well in advance of his release. “We were preparing for this. But when the time came, no system was in place to catch him,” he said. “This man won’t get better overnight. He needs support—not isolation, but meaningful assistance.”

The man reportedly suffers from a developmental disability, and his case is now the third high-profile incident where public systems failed to act on known risks. These include the Breiðholt matricide, the double homicide in Neskaupstaður, and this most recent hostage crisis—all involving individuals known to pose a danger.

New measures in the works

Government officials now say work is underway across ministries to establish appropriate facilities for high-risk individuals. The initial focus will be on creating new resources at Kleppur Hospital, a psychiatric institution in Reykjavík.