OREBRO, Sweden — The individual responsible for the tragic mass shooting earlier this week, which resulted in the deaths of 10 individuals, was linked to the adult education facility where he carried out the attack, according to law enforcement officials on Thursday.
Authorities revealed that the shooter, whose identity has not yet been publicly disclosed, may have previously attended classes at the institution located west of Stockholm. Following the incident, he was discovered deceased, alongside three firearms, ten empty magazines, and a significant quantity of unused ammunition. Details surrounding his cause of death remain unclear, though officials confirmed that police did not engage in gunfire with him.
The establishment in question, known as Campus Risbergska, provides various educational programs including primary and secondary classes for adults aged 20 and above, Swedish language courses for immigrants, vocational training, and services for individuals with intellectual disabilities. It is situated on the outskirts of Orebro, approximately 200 kilometers (125 miles) from the capital.
A substantial response from law enforcement ensued, with around 130 officers dispatched to the site after alarms were raised, only to find pandemonium across the campus. Officers described the situation as being akin to an “inferno,” believing the assailant fired at them upon their arrival.
Local police chief Lars Wirén recounted the chaotic scenes: “Dead people, injured people, screams and smoke,” noting the sight of many fleeing in all directions from the premises. Once inside, law enforcement found at least five individuals over the age of 18 suffering from severe gunshot wounds. As of Thursday, two remained in intensive care but were reported to be in serious yet stable condition, while the three others had undergone successful surgeries and were categorized as stable. There was one additional individual who received treatment for minor injuries.
The extensive location of the school, covering 17,000 square meters (182,986 square feet), required thorough searching by police to ensure no further victims remained unaccounted for.
As of Thursday, investigators had yet to determine a clear motive for the attack. Authorities stated there were no prior warnings of potential violence and believed the suspect acted independently, with no connections to terrorism currently suspected.
In Orebro, a municipality with a population of 160,000, the community was consumed with sorrow, grappling with the events of the last few days. “It has been two days of shock and grief,” remarked John Johansson, the chairman of the municipality’s board. “We are still inquiring about why this has happened, with a significant expression of grief and solidarity emerging from the community.”
In light of the tragedy, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia, alongside Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, visited Orebro on Wednesday to attend a memorial service. The Swedish Football Association has announced that future international matches will begin with a moment of silence to honor the victims.
Many across Sweden, where school shootings are exceedingly rare, struggled to reconcile the reality of such violence occurring in their nation. “This isn’t just a Swedish issue; it reflects a global problem we’ve observed,” Johansson stated.
The online buzz surrounding the shooting led to friends of an Orebro resident, Petter Jorman, a father of 60 whose son once attended the school, reaching out to check on his well-being.
Describing the heart-stopping moments as the horror unfolded, survivors recounted moments of turmoil while searching for safety amidst the barrage of gunfire. One woman, a mother of young children, was filled with dread fearing she might never see them again, while another individual utilized her friend’s shawl to apply pressure to the wound of a man who had been shot in the shoulder. “Those were the worst hours of my life. I had no idea if I would be shot at that moment or in ten minutes. You could only wait,” recalled Hellen Werme, 35, in an interview.
In Sweden, incidents of gun violence in schools are uncommon; however, confrontations involving other weapons, such as knives or axes, have occurred in recent years. Authorities indicated that the shooter possessed licenses for four firearms, with three recovered at the scene and the fourth seized by police.
To legally acquire a firearm in Sweden, individuals must obtain a weapon license and justify that possession of the weapon serves an acceptable purpose such as hunting or target shooting. This includes submitting existing hunting or target shooting certificates, where hunters must complete a training program and target shooters must have club membership confirmation.
As of the beginning of 2024, Sweden, home to about 10.5 million people, reported slightly more than 660,000 registered gun owners, controlling a total of around 2 million firearms and weapon parts requiring permits. Among these, approximately 1.6 million firearms were designated for hunting purposes, while another 176,000 were registered for target shooting.
All weapons must be stored in police-approved secure cabinets. Applications for fully automatic or handguns are typically granted only under exceptional circumstances with limited validity. Permits can be revoked if a weapon is significantly modified from its original design.
