Orebro: A tragic shooting at an educational center in central Sweden resulted in at least 10 fatalities and multiple injuries on Tuesday, according to the New York Times. The suspect was reported to be among the deceased, as stated by Sweden’s Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer. However, authorities have not disclosed the suspect’s identity or potential motives.
Roberto Eid Forest, the head of local police, indicated that while there is no current belief that the incident was terror-related, it’s too early in the investigation to draw definitive conclusions. “We think we have the perpetrator,” he noted, “but we are not ruling out anything.”
The shooting occurred at the Risbergska educational center around 12:30 PM local time. This campus, which caters to about 2,000 students, offers adult education programs, including high school diplomas, Swedish-language courses, and vocational training, according to the municipality’s website.
Cellphone footage broadcasted on local TV showed students hiding under desks and chairs, while others fled towards emergency vehicles. The total number of injured individuals remained unclear as of late Tuesday.
Authorities initiated a “major operation,” with police vehicles surrounding the campus and armed special forces securing the area. Investigations were also conducted at several locations within the city.
After several hours, police managed to evacuate the classrooms, allowing many students and children to exit the building safely.
In a statement, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson described the incident as “the worst mass shooting in Swedish history.” He condemned the “brutal act of violence” during a televised address.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, also expressed her sorrow over the incident, stating, “What happened today in Orebro 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. Our thoughts are with the victims, and we wish them strength and a swift recovery,” in a post on X.