Rescue workers and police officers respond to a shooting at Campus Risbergska, an adult education center in Orebro, Sweden, on February 4, 2025. REUTERS
A tragic mass shooting at an adult education center in Orebro, Sweden, has left 11 people dead, marking the country’s deadliest gun attack in history. The incident, which took place on Tuesday, has deeply shocked the nation, with Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson calling it "a painful day."
The shooting happened at the Risbergska school, which serves adults who did not complete their formal education. The campus also includes schools for children, adding to the scale of the tragedy. Police believe the gunman is among the dead and are continuing their investigation to determine the motive.
Investigation Underway
Local police chief Roberto Eid Forest confirmed that at least 11 people had been killed. "The reason we cannot give a more precise number is that the crime scene is extensive," he said at a press conference. The number of injured remains unclear.
Authorities suspect that the attacker acted alone and have not found any links to terrorism so far. The gunman was not previously known to law enforcement. Investigators are now working on creating a profile of the shooter, speaking with witnesses, and searching for further evidence.
"We have a big crime scene, and our team is conducting thorough searches in the school," Forest said. Several locations in Orebro have also been searched, including an apartment in the city center.
Residents nearby described seeing police officers with weapons drawn as they carried out raids. "We heard loud noises and saw officers everywhere," said Lingam Tuohmaki, who lives in the same building that was searched.
Eyewitness Accounts
The attack has left families desperate for information. Outside the Orebro University Hospital, Ali Elmokad was anxiously waiting for news about his relative, unsure whether he was among the injured or dead.
"We've been trying to reach him all day but haven't been able to," he said. "A friend of mine was in the school, and she said it was terrifying—people lying on the floor, injured, with blood everywhere."
Maria Pegado, a teacher at the school, recounted the terrifying moment she realized something was wrong. "Someone threw open the door and shouted for us to run. I led my students into the hallway, and we started running. Then I heard two gunshots," she said.
"I saw people dragging injured victims out, one after another. That’s when I knew how serious it was," she added.
National and International Reactions
Swedish officials, including Prime Minister Kristersson, expressed their sorrow over the tragedy. "It is hard to comprehend the darkness that has fallen over Sweden tonight," he said.
King Carl XVI Gustav also shared his condolences, calling the attack a "terrible atrocity." European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed solidarity with Sweden, saying, "In this dark hour, we stand with the people of Sweden."
Rising Concerns Over Gun Violence
While mass shootings at schools are rare in Sweden, the country has faced increasing gun violence due to gang-related crimes. Sweden has the highest per capita rate of gun violence in the European Union.
Although Sweden has a high level of legal gun ownership for hunting, the rise in illegal weapons has fueled concerns. Deadly school attacks remain uncommon, with only seven such incidents recorded between 2010 and 2022.
The country has also faced other violent incidents in recent years. In 2015, a masked attacker killed two people at a school in a racially motivated attack. In 2017, a man drove a truck into a crowded shopping street in Stockholm, killing five people.
The latest tragedy in Orebro has left Sweden mourning and searching for answers. As investigators piece together the details, families and communities affected by the shooting are left to cope with an unimaginable loss.
