OREBRO, Sweden — A tragic shooting earlier this week resulted in 10 fatalities, marking it as the worst mass shooting in Swedish history. Officials confirmed on Thursday that the assailant had ties to the adult education institution where the incident took place, located west of Stockholm. Authorities indicated that the gunman had possibly attended classes at the Campus Risbergska prior to unleashing violence. Upon discovery, he was found deceased alongside three firearms, 10 empty magazines, and a substantial cache of unused ammunition. The circumstances of his death remain unclear; however, police stated that they did not engage him in gunfire.
Campus Risbergska caters to individuals aged 20 and older, offering a wide array of programs, including primary and secondary education, Swedish language classes for immigrants, vocational training, and support services for individuals with intellectual disabilities. It is situated on the outskirts of Orebro, roughly 200 kilometers (125 miles) from Stockholm. Following the distress call, around 130 officers arrived to find a chaotic scene at the school. They described the environment as an ‘inferno,’ believing the suspect threatened officers as they entered the building.
Local Police Chief Lars Wirén recounted the horrific scene, saying, “There were dead people, injured people, screams, and smoke,” adding that many individuals were running both inside and outside the premises. Police discovered at least five individuals, all over 18 years old, suffering from severe gunshot wounds. As of Thursday, two victims remained in intensive care but were stabilized, while the other three were recovering after surgical procedures. A sixth individual received treatment for minor injuries.
Authorities conducted a thorough search of the expansive 17,000 square meter (180,000 square feet) school to ensure there were no other victims left behind. By Thursday, investigators had not revealed a clear motive behind the brutal attack, stating that no warnings were issued in advance and suggesting the assailant acted independently. Currently, there are no indications linking the act to terrorism.
In Orebro, a municipality home to around 160,000 residents, the community faced another day filled with sorrow and bereavement amid confusion regarding the incident. John Johansson, the municipal board chairman, reflected on the events, noting, “It has been two days of shock and grief. We are still asking questions about why this happened. The collective mourning and solidarity have been profound.”
King Carl XVI Gustaf, Queen Silvia, and Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson visited Orebro on Wednesday to attend a memorial service, as the Swedish Football Association announced it would observe a moment of silence before future international matches. As outrage and grief spread throughout the nation, where school shootings are exceedingly rare, many residents grappled with the realization of violence occurring on their home soil.
“This is not a Swedish issue; it’s a problem visible worldwide,” Johansson remarked. In the aftermath, friends of Orebro resident Petter Jorman, a father whose son previously studied at the school, reached out to check on his well-being, concerned due to their proximity to the site.
The harrowing events unfolded on Tuesday afternoon, following a national exam when many students had already left. Survivors sought refuge, hiding behind or beneath anything they could find to evade the gunfire. One woman with children recalled a moment of terror, fearing she might never see them again while another applied pressure to a gunshot wound on a man using a friend’s shawl. “Those were the worst hours of my life,” recounted 35-year-old Hellen Werme, sharing her harrowing experience with a local newspaper.
Although school-related gun violence is rare in Sweden, incidents involving knives or axes have occurred in recent years, resulting in injuries or fatalities. Authorities indicated that the shooter held licenses for four firearms, with three recovered at the scene and the fourth being seized by police. To legally own a firearm in Sweden, applicants must obtain a weapon license and demonstrate valid reasons for ownership, such as hunting or target shooting. The process includes the submission of relevant certificates.
With a population of roughly 10.5 million, Sweden had more than 660,000 registered gun owners as of early 2024, collectively possessing approximately 2 million firearms and components requiring permits. Among these, 1.6 million guns were registered for hunting, while another 176,000 were designated for target shooting. All firearms are required to be securely stored in cabinets approved by the police. Permits for fully automatic and hand-held firearms are typically granted under exceptional circumstances and are time-limited, with revocation possible if weapons are altered significantly from their original design.
