nedim yasar former leader of notorious danish gang shot dead credittobias nicolaiscanpix via reutersnov 21 2018copenhagen in the eyes of his former associates nedim yasar once the leader of a notorious danish gang did something much worse than just leave the criminal life he talked about it becoming a nationally recognized expert on gang violencemr yasir was fatally shot on monday night at what should have been a high point in his reformed life he had just left a party in copenhagen celebrating the release of a book about him written with his cooperation his death was big news in denmark lamented on the front pages of many newspapershe was killed for what he said not just because he left a brotherhood said aydin soei an author and sociologist who interviews and writes about gang members the code is to leave the gang and shut up about it but he went the other way he stood up with his story burning to break the chain feeding the gangs new members and to encourage others by saying there is an alternative to the gangsthe police in copenhagen said they did not have any suspects and appealed for witnesses in a statement investigators said they were aware of an attempt on mr yasars life at his home last year but they had not been aware of any recent threatsmr yasar had founded a gang los guerreros that became involved in drug trafficking and he spent time in jail for violence robbery blackmail and unlawful imprisonment five years ago he entered a staterun exit program for gang members then became a radio host and a respected voice in denmarks debate about gang violenceimagecreditbax lindhardtagence francepresse getty imageson tuesday came the release of rodder a gangsters way out written by a journalist marie louise toksvig the danish word rodder is used to mean both roots and troublemakersin an interview on sunday mr yasar who was born in turkey and had lived in denmark since age 4 said his decision to leave the gang took shape when he learned he was having a soni was afraid he would look at me like i saw my father so i had to choose do you want a son growing up looking at you thinking youre cool and then join the gangs and do crime to get your recognition he told tv2 or do you want to leave the environment so your son can see you in a different way and respect you for the human being you aremr yasar was shot while getting into his car after a book reception at the offices of the danish red cross youth branch where he had been a mentor to troubled youthshe was inspiring but never lecturing its a big difference said anders folmer buhelt the organizations director nedim was very strong on values and very clear on what society he wanted to create but he was also clear on who he used to bemr soei the sociologist said he