Sweden’s police have confirmed that the shooting at the Risbergska School in Orebro, about 200 kilometers west of Stockholm, has resulted in the deaths of 11 people. Earlier reports had indicated that five individuals were wounded in the attack.
The tragedy unfolded at 12:33 p.m. local time (11:44 GMT), with the gunman, who had no known ties to gangs or terrorism, believed to be among the deceased. Authorities remain uncertain about the motives behind the crime, and details regarding the injured victims are still unclear, according to local police chief Roberto Eid Forest.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson expressed deep sorrow, calling the incident the worst mass shooting in the nation’s history. The Risbergska School serves as a learning center for adults, including many immigrants striving to improve their education and career opportunities.
The attack sheds light on the growing violence in Sweden, a country that now records the highest rate of gun-related deaths per capita in the European Union. The Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention reported that between 2010 and 2022, seven separate school-related violent incidents resulted in 10 fatalities.
While gun ownership is common in Sweden for hunting, the surge of illegal firearms linked to gang activity presents a severe challenge. Past violent incidents, such as the 2015 murder of a teaching assistant and the 2017 Stockholm truck attack, serve as stark reminders of persistent threats to public safety. The latest tragedy intensifies concerns over rising violence and the need for stronger security measures to prevent such attacks in the future.
