Swedish Teen Gang Member Sentenced to Seven Years in Danish Prison for Attempted Murder in Copenhagen

Emin Duale, an 18-year-old Swedish gang member, has been sentenced to seven years in prison by a Danish court for attempting to murder a rival gang member at a hair salon in Nørrebro, Copenhagen, in April 2024. At the time of the incident, he was 17 years old. The shooting failed after the intended victim locked the salon's door, preventing the attack from succeeding. Danish police allege the attack was commissioned by the gang Loyal to Familia, who also provided Duale with lodging and clothing.

This latest sentence follows Duale's previous nine-year prison sentence in Sweden for murder and two counts of attempted murder. His violent criminal history began at age 15 with a conviction for attempted murder and escalated last year during a month-long violent spree spanning Sweden and Denmark. During this period, he sought murder contracts through the now-defunct chat group "Samurajbarnen" and was involved in multiple shootings, including a fatal gang-related shooting in Södermalm, Stockholm.

In addition to the Copenhagen shooting, Duale shot a gang-associated man in Stockholm the day after the attempted murder, and later fired shots in Tyresö and through a door in Huddinge, where one person was injured. His reckless behavior, particularly during the Huddinge shooting where he disguised himself as a food delivery person, was noted by the Danish court. Duale's lawyer has announced plans to appeal the Danish ruling.

This case highlights the continuing cross-border gang violence affecting both Sweden and Denmark, illustrating the challenges authorities face in combating organized youth crime in the region.