Henrik Olsson Lilja was shot in Stockholm on Friday morning.
Topline: A prominent Swedish lawyer who represented rapper A$AP Rocky was shot in the Swedish capital Stockholm on Friday morning. Police are treating it as an isolated incident and “several people” have been arrested for questioning, officers said.
- Henrik Olssen Lilja was shot in the head and chest and reportedly called the police himself, with emergency services responding at 8:59 local time, Swedish newspaper Expressen reported. He was taken to hospital in an ambulance. A spokeswoman for the Swedish Bar Association confirmed to Forbes that Lilja was the victim of the shooting.
- Police are investigating the matter as an “isolated incident.” It is not known whether the lawyer was targeted because of his work. Witnesses say they saw a person wrestle with the lawyer in a stairwell in central Stockholm before he was shot and used a neighbor’s phone to contact police.
- Police have arrested a woman, reportedly also a senior lawyer, who had previously been banned from contacting Lilja, Expressen reported. The shooter has been identified as a man, while a black SUV that was spotted at the scene sped away and is being chased by officers.
- He was conscious when police were contacted, but his current condition is unknown.
Crucial quote: “The police have arrested several people for questioning. The investigation is at an intense stage and the police are working on several different fronts to make progress,” the Swedish Police Authority wrote on its website.
Key background: The lawyer recently gained worldwide attention after representing U.S. rapper A$AP Rocky, who was convicted of assault in the Swedish capital following a brawl with a 19-year-old man in June. Rocky, born Rakim Mayers, received a two-year suspended sentence. Among other high-profile clients Lilja represents Qiao Jianjun, one of China’s most wanted fugitives accused by Beijing of embezzling millions of dollars.
