A tragic mass shooting at an adult education center in Örebro, western Sweden, has resulted in at least 10 fatalities, making it one of the deadliest incidents in the country’s history, police confirmed on Tuesday.
The attack occurred at Risbergska School around 12:33 pm local time (11:33 GMT). Initially, reports stated that five people had been shot, but authorities later revised the toll to approximately 10 deaths. The identities of the victims have not yet been confirmed.
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“We estimate that around 10 people have lost their lives today. The situation is extensive, which makes it difficult to provide an exact number at the moment,” said local police chief Roberto Eid Forest.
A representative from Örebro University Hospital reported that five individuals with gunshot wounds were admitted. One person sustained minor injuries, while four underwent surgery. Two of the injured were stable post-surgery, while another remained in critical condition.
Shooter Believed to Be Among the Dead
Authorities suspect that the gunman was among those killed. The attack has not been linked to terrorism, but investigators are treating the case as “attempted murder, arson, and an aggravated weapons offense.”
According to Forest, the suspect had no prior criminal record and was not known to law enforcement. “Our investigation suggests that the shooter acted alone,” he added.
Eyewitnesses recounted the chaos that erupted as shots rang out inside the school. Maria Pegado, a teacher at the institution, described the terrifying moment.
“I quickly led my 15 students out into the hallway, and we ran. I heard two gunshots, but we managed to escape. We were near the entrance. I saw people carrying the wounded—first one, then another. It was a horrifying sight,” she told reporters.
Another witness, Andreas Sundling, who was taking shelter inside a classroom, shared his experience with Swedish newspaper Expressen: “We heard three loud bangs followed by screams. Now we are waiting to be evacuated. The only instructions we have received are to stay put.”
Widespread Condemnation
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson expressed his sorrow over the tragedy, calling it “the worst mass shooting in Sweden’s history.”
“My thoughts go out to the victims and their families,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter). “No one should have to endure the terror of being trapped in a classroom, fearing for their life.”
Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf also shared his condolences, stating he was “deeply saddened and distressed” by the events.
The shooting took place on the outskirts of Örebro, roughly 200 kilometers west of Stockholm. While Sweden has seen a surge in gang-related shootings and bombings in recent years, deadly school attacks remain rare.
Between 2010 and 2022, seven separate school-related incidents claimed the lives of 10 people, according to the Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention.
Despite this, Sweden has experienced a few violent school attacks in recent years. In March 2022, a student fatally stabbed two teachers in Malmö. In 2015, a racially motivated attack in Trollhättan left three people dead after a sword-wielding attacker targeted students and staff.
