OREBRO, Sweden — In a tragic event on Tuesday, Salim Karim Iskef, 28, became one of ten victims in what stands as Sweden’s most devastating mass shooting. Despite being gravely injured, he managed to video-call his fiancée, Kareen Alia, to express his love one last time. He urged her to take care of herself and his mother before the call abruptly ended. Kareen, unable to reach him afterward, later learned that he succumbed to his injuries. Iskef was enrolled in a nursing program at the adult education center, where the shooting took place, showcasing his aspiration to contribute to healthcare.
The couple had recently purchased a house and had plans to marry this summer. Father Jacob Kasselia, their parish priest, conveyed the profound loss, stating, “He had all of these dreams in his heart. Now, unfortunately, all of these dreams are gone. Their light has been put out.”
Authorities reported that the unidentified shooter had links to the education center and used at least one rifle to execute the attack. The gunman was discovered deceased at the scene, surrounded by three firearms, ten empty magazines, and a substantial quantity of unused ammunition. Investigators are still probing into the circumstances of his death, confirming that police did not engage in a firefight with him.
The incident left five individuals with severe gunshot wounds, while another person received treatment for minor injuries. Although investigations are ongoing, no clear motive has been determined, and law enforcement believes the shooter acted independently. Authorities have also indicated that there are currently no suspicions of a terror-related motive.
Iskef, who had been providing healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic, was pursuing his nursing studies at Campus Risbergska, a school in Orebro that offers various educational programs, including Swedish language classes and vocational training for adults. His family fled Syria during the brutal civil war between 2014 and 2015. His sister, Hanan Eskif, expressed her devastation, recalling the deep bond they shared and wondering how she would cope without him. “We’ve lived together our entire lives,” she shared, “I don’t know how to live without him.”
The family is mourning and held a memorial service at their Orthodox Christian church; however, as of Thursday evening, they had not yet received Iskef’s remains. Hanan conveyed the family’s struggle with the reality of their loss, saying, “We keep looking out the window thinking maybe he’ll return and knock on the door. We don’t sleep or eat; we just sit and look out.”
In response to the tragedy, Swedish officials, along with the Sweden Democrats, have announced plans to initiate stricter gun regulations. This includes proposals aimed at limiting access to semi-automatic firearms such as the AR-15. Authorities noted that the shooter had licenses for four firearms, three of which were found at the scene and one that police have since confiscated.
In Sweden, acquiring a gun legally requires a license and proof that the firearm will be used for valid purposes like hunting or target shooting. Individuals must supply prior hunting or shooting certifications, which necessitate passing training courses. As of early 2024, there are over 660,000 registered gun owners in Sweden, collectively possessing around 2 million firearms.
In this nation of approximately 10.5 million residents, hunting accounts for the majority of registered guns, with 1.6 million designated for that purpose, and 176,000 allocated for target shooting. All firearms must be securely stored in cabinets that meet police regulations. Permits for fully automatic or hand guns are granted only under exceptional circumstances, and time-limited, with rigorous conditions around modifications that could alter a weapon’s original classification.
