Sweden’s Deadliest Mass Shooting: 10 Killed in School Attack

Sweden’s Deadliest Mass Shooting: 10 Killed in School Attack \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ A gunman killed 10 people in Sweden’s worst mass shooting, opening fire at Campus Risbergska, an adult education center in Orebro. The shooter, believed to have attended the school, was found dead with multiple weapons and ammunition. Authorities say he acted alone, with no terror links identified. Survivors described chaotic scenes, while Sweden’s royal family and leaders joined the nation in mourning.

Sweden’s Deadliest Mass Shooting: Quick Looks

• 10 Killed in School Massacre: A gunman opened fire at Campus Risbergska, an adult education center in Orebro, in Sweden’s worst mass shooting.
• Shooter Had Ties to the School: Authorities say the gunman may have been a former student at the school, though his exact connection remains unclear.
• Found Dead with Weapons: The shooter was discovered dead alongside three firearms, 10 empty magazines, and large amounts of unused ammunition.
• No Clear Motive Yet: Investigators say the gunman acted alone, but no links to terrorism have been found. His motive remains unknown.
• Survivors Describe Chaos: Witnesses reported hiding under desks and using scarves to stop bleeding as they waited in terror for the shooting to end.
• Swedish Leaders Pay Tribute: King Carl XVI Gustaf, Queen Silvia, and Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson visited Orebro and attended a memorial service.
• Victims in Intensive Care: Five survivors, all over 18, suffered serious gunshot wounds, with two still in critical condition.
• 130 Officers Responded: Police described the campus as an “inferno”, with dead and injured victims scattered across the school.
• Sweden’s Gun Laws in Focus: The shooter had legal licenses for four firearms, prompting debates over Sweden’s strict but widely used gun laws.
• Nation in Mourning: The Swedish Football Association announced a moment of silence at future international matches in honor of the victims.

Deep Look: Sweden’s Deadliest Mass Shooting: 10 Killed in School Attack

Sweden is reeling from its deadliest mass shooting after a gunman killed 10 people at Campus Risbergska, an adult education center in Orebro, before being found dead. The attack, which unfolded Tuesday afternoon, has shaken a country where school shootings are extremely rare, leaving grief, unanswered questions, and national mourning in its wake.

Shooter Had Ties to the School, Police Confirm

Authorities revealed that the unidentified gunman had a connection to the school, possibly as a former student. He opened fire with at least one rifle-like weapon, spreading terror before being found dead alongside three guns, 10 empty magazines, and a stockpile of unused ammunition.

“Dead people, injured people, screams, and smoke. Many people running inside and outside the premises,” said Lars Wirén, the local police chief.

A Scene of Chaos and Horror

Around 130 officers responded to emergency calls, arriving to find a scene described as an “inferno.” Survivors reported hiding under desks, behind doors, and using scarves to stop bleeding.

• Five victims, all over 18, suffered severe gunshot wounds—two remain in intensive care, while three have stabilized after surgery.
• A sixth person sustained minor injuries.
• The gunman reportedly aimed his weapon at police as they entered, though officers did not return fire.
• The entire 17,000-square-meter (180,000-square-foot) campus had to be searched to rule out further casualties.

Despite the massive police response, the attack ended before officers could engage the shooter. Investigators have yet to determine whether he died by suicide or another cause.

No Known Motive, No Terror Links

By Thursday, Swedish police confirmed that:

• The shooter acted alone.
• There were no warnings before the attack.
• Authorities do not currently suspect terrorism.

Sweden in Mourning: Leaders and Royals Visit Orebro

Orebro, Sweden’s seventh-largest city with 160,000 residents, has been left in shock and mourning.

“We are still asking why. The grief and togetherness have been enormous,” said John Johansson, chairman of the municipal board.

King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia, along with Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, visited Orebro and attended a memorial service. The Swedish Football Association announced that all future international matches would begin with a moment of silence.

Mourners across Sweden, where mass shootings are extremely rare, have struggled to comprehend the tragedy.

“This is not just a Swedish problem. It’s a problem we’ve seen worldwide,” Johansson added.

Survivors’ Harrowing Accounts

As the attack unfolded, survivors scrambled for safety, fearing for their lives.

• Hellen Werme, 35, described the attack as “the worst hours of my life.”
• Some students hid behind furniture, afraid to move.
• A woman used her friend’s shawl to stop the bleeding of a wounded classmate.
• A mother feared she would never see her children again.

Gun Ownership in Sweden: Strict but Not Uncommon

Although Sweden has strict gun laws, legal firearm ownership is relatively common due to hunting and sport shooting traditions.

Authorities revealed that the shooter had legal licenses for four firearms, three of which were found near his body.

In Sweden:

• 660,000 people legally own firearms.
• There are 2 million registered firearms—1.6 million for hunting and 176,000 for target shooting.
• Gun owners must pass safety courses and store weapons in secure, police-approved cabinets.
• Permits for automatic or high-capacity weapons are rarely granted and only issued for exceptional reasons.

What’s Next?

As investigators continue searching for a motive, Sweden grapples with how to prevent future mass shootings. Key questions remain:

• Why did the gunman target this school?
• How did he acquire so much ammunition?
• Could stricter gun control laws prevent similar tragedies?

For now, Sweden mourns its dead, honors its survivors, and seeks answers to one of the darkest days in its recent history.

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