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The shooter who killed 10 people in Sweden’s worst mass shooting earlier this week was connected to the adult education center where he opened fire with at least one rifle-like weapon, law enforcement officials confirmed Thursday.
Authorities stated the gunman, whose identity remains undisclosed, may have attended the school before Tuesday’s attack on the campus west of Stockholm. The shooter was later found dead alongside three firearms and a significant amount of unused ammunition. Officials have not confirmed the cause of death.
Campus Risbergska, the targeted school, offers primary and secondary education for adults over 20, Swedish-language classes for immigrants, vocational training, and programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Located on the outskirts of Orebro, the campus sits approximately 200 kilometers (125 miles) from Stockholm.
On Tuesday, around 130 officers responded to alarms, arriving at the school to find scenes of chaos. Authorities described the aftermath as an “inferno.”
“Dead people, injured people, screams and smoke,” local police chief Lars Wirén recounted during a press conference. “Many people running inside and outside the premises.”
Officers discovered at least five individuals, all over 18, suffering severe gunshot wounds. Two remained in intensive care Thursday in serious but stable condition, while the other three had undergone surgery and were stable. A sixth victim sustained minor injuries.
Authorities had to search the 17,000-square-meter (182,986-square-foot) school to ensure no additional casualties.
As of Thursday, investigators had not determined a clear motive for the attack. Police found no prior warnings and believe the shooter acted alone. Authorities stated there is no suspected link to terrorism at this stage.
Days of ‘Shock and Grief’
Orebro, a city of 160,000 and Sweden’s seventh-largest municipality, continued to mourn as questions remained unanswered.
“It has been two days of shock and grief,” John Johansson, chairman of the town’s municipal board, told The Associated Press. “We are still asking why, still wondering what has happened. The outpouring of grief and togetherness has been enormous.”
King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia, alongside Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, visited Orebro on Wednesday and attended a memorial service.
Throughout Sweden, a nation of 10.5 million where school shootings are rare, citizens struggled to comprehend the violence.
“This is not a Swedish problem; it’s a problem that we have seen throughout the world,” Johansson said.
The shooting’s online coverage prompted calls and messages to Orebro resident Petter Jorman, a 60-year-old father whose son once attended the school. Friends reached out, asking, “How are you? Are you OK? I know you live close.”
‘The Worst Hours of My Life’
The attack began Tuesday afternoon after many students had left following a national exam. Survivors scrambled for cover as gunfire erupted, hiding wherever possible. A mother feared she would never see her children again, while another used her friend’s shawl to stop a wounded man’s bleeding.
“Those were the worst hours of my life. I did not know if I would get shot there and then, or in 10 minutes. You simply waited,” Hellen Werme, 35, told Expressen newspaper.
Gun Laws in Sweden
While school shootings are extremely rare in Sweden, recent years have seen violent incidents involving knives and axes.
Authorities confirmed the shooter had licenses for four firearms, three of which were found next to his body. Police have seized the fourth.
Swedish firearm laws require applicants to obtain a weapons license and prove legitimate use, such as hunting or target shooting. Hunting certificates demand a training course, while target shooters must be certified active members of clubs.
All firearms must be stored in police-approved secure cabinets. Permits for fully automatic or one-handed weapons are only issued under exceptional circumstances and are typically temporary. Licenses are revoked if weapons are significantly modified.
Source: Swifteradio.com
