The Narsaq Massacre: Greenland's Deadliest Mass Shooting

On January 1, 1990, a New Year's Eve celebration in the small Greenlandic town of Narsaq turned into the deadliest mass shooting in the country's history. What should have been a night of celebration ended in tragedy when an 18-year-old man returned to a party armed with a rifle and opened fire on his own community.

The attack left seven people dead and one critically wounded. More than three decades later, the Narsaq massacre remains one of the most shocking and devastating crimes ever committed in Greenland.

A Small Town in Southern Greenland

Narsaq is a small town in southern Greenland, located in the municipality of Kujalleq. In 1990, the town had a population of around 1,500 to 2,000 residents. The community was close-knit, with most people knowing each other personally.

Life in Narsaq revolved around fishing, hunting, and small-scale industry. Firearms were common household items, used primarily for hunting seals and other game. Regulations around gun ownership were far less strict than in mainland Denmark.

The town had only basic infrastructure: a small hospital, a police station, and limited emergency services. Serious violent crime was rare, and nothing in Narsaq's recent history had prepared the community for what would happen on New Year's Day 1990.

Who Was Abel Mikaelsen Klemmensen?

Abel Mikaelsen Klemmensen was born in 1971 and grew up in Narsaq. He lived with his parents and had at least one brother. Like many young people in the town, he participated in local social life and attended community gatherings.

According to available accounts, Klemmensen had no known criminal record and was not previously known for violent behavior. He was described as a laid-back young man before the massacre.

His family owned firearms, which was common in Greenland due to hunting traditions. One of these weapons would later become the instrument of the deadliest crime in the nation's history.

The New Year's Eve Party

On the night of December 31, 1989, a New Year's Eve party was held at a boarding house complex in the Ungbo area of Narsaq. Residents of all ages attended, and alcohol was consumed as part of the celebration.

Klemmensen was at the party along with his brother and his best friend. As the night progressed, an argument broke out between Klemmensen and his best friend over a girl who was present at the party.

Klemmensen felt betrayed when his friend sided with the girl during the dispute. The exact details of the argument are unclear, but witnesses later described Klemmensen as angry and humiliated.

After the confrontation, Klemmensen left the party and went home.

The Decision to Kill

At his parents' house, Klemmensen made a fatal decision. He later admitted that he formed the intention to return to the party and kill everyone there, then commit suicide.

He retrieved a semiautomatic hunting rifle from his family home and returned to the boarding house complex where the New Year's celebration was still ongoing.

In the early hours of January 1, 1990, Klemmensen entered the building armed with the rifle.

The Massacre

Klemmensen moved through two rooms on the first floor where partygoers were gathered. He opened fire, shooting people systematically in the head.

Among those shot was his own brother, who was wounded in the cheek but survived. Another young man, aged 22, was critically wounded but also survived.

Seven people were killed in the attack. The victims were three men aged 18, 33, and 34, and four women aged 18, 19, 26, and 29. All died from gunshot wounds to the head.

Five victims died at the scene. Two others were transported to the small hospital in Narsaq, where they later died from their injuries.

The small town was plunged into shock and grief. In a community of fewer than 2,000 people, nearly everyone knew one or more of the victims.

Arrest and Confession

After the shooting, Klemmensen did not kill himself as he had planned. He was arrested by local police and taken into custody.

Given Greenland's limited detention facilities, he was initially held at the local police station. Investigators interviewed survivors and witnesses, including Klemmensen's wounded brother.

During questioning, Klemmensen confessed to the shootings. He admitted that he had returned to the party with the intention of killing everyone present and then committing suicide.

He said his motivation was anger and a sense of betrayal after the argument with his best friend.

Charges and Legal Proceedings

Klemmensen was formally charged with seven counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.

Because Greenland did not have a closed, high-security prison suitable for someone accused of multiple murders, Klemmensen was transferred to Denmark for detention and trial.

The case was prosecuted under Danish legal procedures, as Greenland is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark.

Given the overwhelming evidence and his confession, the trial focused less on establishing guilt and more on psychiatric evaluations and sentencing.

Psychiatric Evaluation

During the investigation, Klemmensen underwent psychiatric assessments. Psychiatrists diagnosed him with narcissistic personality disorder.

The evaluation suggested that Klemmensen experienced what was described as a narcissistic rage after feeling betrayed and humiliated during the argument at the party.

However, doctors also concluded that he was criminally responsible for his actions. He was not psychotic and understood the difference between right and wrong at the time of the massacre.

The psychiatric diagnosis was considered during sentencing but did not constitute a legal defense.

Sentence and Detention

In March 1991, approximately 14 months after the massacre, Klemmensen was found guilty.

The court sentenced him to indefinite detention in a psychiatric institution. This meant that he would remain confined until authorities determined that he no longer posed a danger to society.

He was transferred to Herstedvester Prison in Denmark, a secure facility designed to house offenders who require psychiatric treatment.

The sentence reflected both the severity of the crime and the court's assessment that Klemmensen remained a long-term risk to public safety.

Life After the Massacre

Klemmensen spent approximately 25 years in detention in Denmark. During this time, he received psychiatric treatment.

In 2014, one year before his release, he was charged with smuggling hashish to Greenland. Despite this charge, he was granted parole in 2015.

At the time of his release, he was around 44 years old. Details about the conditions of his parole and his current whereabouts have not been publicly disclosed.

Impact on the Community

The massacre devastated Narsaq. In a town of fewer than 2,000 residents, the loss of seven people in a single night left permanent scars.

Families lost children, siblings, and friends. Survivors carried lifelong trauma. The boarding house complex became a symbol of tragedy.

The case sparked discussions in Greenland about alcohol abuse, mental health, and firearm access. However, firearms remain common due to their importance in hunting and traditional life.

The massacre also highlighted the limitations of Greenland's justice system, particularly the lack of secure psychiatric facilities for dangerous offenders.

A Defining Moment in Greenland's History

The Narsaq massacre remains the worst mass shooting in Greenland's history. More than three decades later, it is still studied as a case of extreme violence in a small, isolated community.

It stands as a tragic reminder of how quickly personal conflict, substance abuse, mental health issues, and access to firearms can combine into catastrophic violence.

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