On Tuesday, February 4, a tragic attack took place at the Risbergska Adult Education Center in Örebro, a city in central Sweden. The incident resulted in at least 11 fatalities, with 6 people sustaining injuries and being hospitalized.
At a press conference on Wednesday morning, the local police chief Roberto Eid Forest stated that the identities of all the victims had not been confirmed yet. However, authorities expressed their hope to identify all the victims within 48 hours.
Forest mentioned that there was evidence indicating that the suspect committed suicide by gunfire. “We still believe this was a solo act, and we will disclose the exact motive,” he added.
Swedish authorities have indicated that there is currently no evidence suggesting the suspect had an ideological motive.
Around 12:30 pm on Tuesday, while some students were in class and others were having lunch, the gunman initiated the shooting.
The media in Sweden described the suspect as a 35-year-old unemployed man who possessed a hunting license, yet these details have not been confirmed by the police.
Jonas Claesson, the director of health and medical services in the region, stated that out of the 6 hospitalized individuals, 5 had severe gunshot wounds initially deemed life-threatening. Following surgery, their conditions are now stable, with two individuals receiving treatment in intensive care, while the sixth individual sustained minor injuries. Among them, four were female and two were male.
According to reports from Reuters, Pegado, who is responsible for training students in kitchen skills, expressed, “I think of my students, many of whom have fled from countries where such incidents occur, only to experience it here. It’s too dreadful.”
Many students in the Swedish adult education system are immigrants seeking language skills and qualifications to aid in their job search in the Nordic country.
Information from the local government indicates that the Risbergska Adult School has approximately 2,700 students, with around 800 participating in Swedish language courses for immigrants.
Allegedly, these students range in age from 18 to 70 and come from various backgrounds and nationalities.
In mourning for the victims, the city of Örebro, the Swedish parliament, and the Stockholm Palace have lowered their flags to half-mast. King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia visited the school where the shooting occurred and attended a memorial service on Wednesday evening.
Outside the school, the King laid down white flowers at a memorial area surrounded by candlelights and spoke to reporters, “It’s very difficult to bear the grief alone. I believe all of Sweden feels the impact of this traumatic event.”
Accompanied by the royal couple, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson traveled to Örebro and stated, “February 4 will forever be a dark day in Swedish history.”
Örebro, a city with a population exceeding 100,000, is located about 200 kilometers (125 miles) west of the capital city, Stockholm.
Mayor John Johansson expressed to SVT, the Swedish television network, “This happening in Örebro was entirely unexpected. I can understand that children and young people are feeling very scared today, and so am I.”