ÖREBRO, SWEDEN. At least 10 people, including the gunman, were killed on Tuesday in a mass shooting at Campus Risbergska, an adult education center in Örebro. Authorities described the incident as Sweden’s worst mass shooting, though the final death toll and motive remain undetermined.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson condemned the attack, calling it “the worst mass shooting in Swedish history.” Speaking at a press conference in Stockholm, he said, “Today, we have witnessed brutal, deadly violence against completely innocent people. Many questions remain unanswered, and I cannot provide those answers either. But the time will come when we will know what happened, how it could occur, and what motives may have been behind it. Let us not speculate.”
The shooting took place on the outskirts of Örebro, about 200 kilometers (125 miles) west of Stockholm. Campus Risbergska serves students over 20 years old and offers vocational training, Swedish language courses for immigrants, and programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Teacher Lena Warenmark, who was present at the time of the attack, told SVT News that she heard approximately ten gunshots. “There were unusually few students on campus after the national exam,” she said.
According to police reports, the gunman was among those killed. The authorities believe he acted alone and stated that he was not previously known to law enforcement. While terrorism has not been suspected at this stage, investigators have not ruled out any possibilities.
Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer described the shooting as “an event that shakes our entire society to its core.” He added, “We have read about such violence happening elsewhere, but Sweden never expected something of this scale. It is indescribably sad.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also condemned the attack, writing on social media: “What happened today in Örebro is truly horrifying. Such violence and terror have no place in our societies—least of all in schools. In this dark hour, we stand with the people of Sweden.”
Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf expressed his sorrow and extended condolences to the victims’ families. “It is with sadness and dismay that my family and I have received the information about the terrible atrocity in Örebro,” he said in a statement. “We send our condolences tonight to the families and friends of the deceased. Our thoughts at this time also go to the injured and their relatives, as well as to others affected.”
Neighboring Denmark also reacted to the tragedy, with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen calling it “a terrible situation.” Speaking in London after a meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, she said, “I am so sad, and all my thoughts are with the victims and their families and with the entire Swedish community and society. It’s a terrible situation. And of course, our neighboring countries have all of our support.”
The damage at the crime scene was so extensive that investigators have yet to determine the final number of fatalities. Örebro police chief Roberto Eid Forest confirmed that authorities are still working to identify the victims and establish a clear timeline of events. “Of course, we all want to understand why this happened, what occurred, and what motives the perpetrator may have had,” Kristersson said. “We will have to wait for those answers—in due time, the picture will become clearer.”
Following the attack, police raided the suspect’s home, but officials have not disclosed what was found. Eid Forest added that there were no warning signs before the shooting.
The attack occurred just after many students had left campus following a national exam. Witnesses reported chaos as students and staff scrambled to find shelter. Andreas Sundling, 28, who was inside the building at the time, told Expressen newspaper, “We heard three bangs and loud screams.” He and others barricaded themselves inside a classroom for safety.
As Sweden grapples with this unprecedented tragedy, the nation awaits further details from authorities while mourning the lives lost in what is now considered the country’s deadliest mass shooting.
Gary P Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
- Gary P Hernalhttps://tutubi.ph/author/gary-hernal/
- Gary P Hernalhttps://tutubi.ph/author/gary-hernal/
- Gary P Hernalhttps://tutubi.ph/author/gary-hernal/
- Gary P Hernalhttps://tutubi.ph/author/gary-hernal/
