A tragic shooting at an adult education centre in central Sweden on Tuesday left 10 people dead, including the suspected gunman. The attack occurred at Risbergska school in Orebro, located approximately 200 km (124 miles) west of Stockholm, and has been described by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson as the “worst mass shooting in Swedish history.”
The police confirmed that the gunman was also killed, and they believe he acted alone. Although the motive remains unclear, authorities have ruled out any ideological factors behind the attack. The Prime Minister expressed his shock and sorrow, saying, “It is difficult to take in the magnitude of what has happened today.”
At a press conference on Tuesday evening, Kristersson addressed the tragedy, stating that the death toll could rise as several people were injured. As of Wednesday morning, police had not provided an exact count of the injuries, and some victims were reported to be in critical condition.
What Happened at Risbergska School?
The shooting took place at 12:33 PM local time (11:33 GMT) at Risbergska school, which is part of a campus hosting other educational institutions. The school caters to adults who have not completed their primary or secondary education. Police responded quickly to the scene after receiving reports of gunfire and instructed the public to stay away from the area. Nearby schools were also placed on lockdown for safety.
Orebro police chief Roberto Eid Forest advised the public, saying, “We don’t want members of the public to go there.” Local authorities also took swift action to prepare for an influx of victims, with hospitals clearing space in emergency and intensive care units. Orebro University Hospital treated five people who had suffered gunshot wounds, and another victim with minor injuries was also seen at the hospital.
Eyewitness Accounts and Descriptions of the Chaos
The horrific nature of the attack was recounted by those who witnessed the events unfold. Lena Warenmark, a teacher at the school, told Swedish public radio that she heard around 10 gunshots near her study area.
Ali el Mokad, a relative of one of the students at the school, described the emotional anguish of waiting for news from the hospital. He recounted how his cousin’s friend, who had witnessed the scene, was in distress after seeing “people lying on the floor, injured and blood everywhere.”
Another student, Marwa, shared the shocking events she experienced firsthand. She and others tried to help a man who had been shot in the shoulder, using a shawl to staunch the bleeding. “Everyone was so shocked,” she said, highlighting the panic and chaos during the attack.
A National Day of Mourning and Reflection
Prime Minister Kristersson called Tuesday a “very painful day for all in Sweden,” acknowledging the terror that students and staff faced at what should have been a regular school day. “Being confined to a classroom with fear for your own life is a nightmare that no one should have to experience,” he said, sharing his thoughts with those affected by the tragedy.
He also urged the public to allow law enforcement the space and freedom to conduct their investigations, adding that there was no ongoing threat to the community and that schools would be safe for students to return to the next day.
As the investigation continues, Sweden grapples with one of its deadliest mass shootings in history, and the nation mourns the victims of this senseless act of violence.
