Sweden was rocked by its worst mass shooting on Tuesday when a gunman opened fire at an adult education center in Örebro, killing at least 10 people, including himself. The motive behind the attack remains unclear, and authorities are still determining the final death toll and number of wounded.
A Tragedy Unfolds
The shooting occurred at Campus Risbergska, an institution that serves students over 20 years old, offering secondary school courses, vocational training, and Swedish language programs for immigrants.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson addressed the nation, calling it a brutal and unprecedented attack. “Today, we have witnessed brutal, deadly violence against completely innocent people,” he said. He urged the public to refrain from speculation while authorities investigate.
Gun violence at schools is rare in Sweden, but the country has seen an increase in violent incidents in recent years involving other weapons like knives and axes. Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer described the attack as something that “shakes our entire society to its core.”
Unanswered Questions
Authorities believe the shooter acted alone, and he was not previously known to police. Investigators have ruled out any links to terrorism at this stage but have not determined a motive. The suspect’s home was raided, though details of what was found remain undisclosed.
The crime scene was so damaged that forensic teams are still working to confirm the number of casualties. Roberto Eid Forest, head of the local police, stated that the death toll could rise.
Reactions from Sweden and Beyond
The attack has sent shockwaves through Sweden and Europe. Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf expressed condolences to the victims’ families and praised the swift response of law enforcement and medical teams.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the violence “truly horrifying,” emphasizing that such terror has no place in society. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also extended support, saying, “It’s a terrible situation, and Sweden has all of our support.”
Chaos and Fear on Campus
The shooting began around 12:30 p.m. local time, shortly after a national exam, when many students had already left the campus. Those still present described scenes of terror.
“We heard three bangs and loud screams,” said 28-year-old Andreas Sundling, who barricaded himself in a classroom. Others sheltered in nearby buildings, while emergency responders rushed to the scene.
Ongoing Investigation
With Sweden reeling from this unprecedented attack, authorities are working to understand how it happened and prevent future tragedies. As the nation mourns, the focus now turns to ensuring justice for the victims and reinforcing security measures.