Sweden is reeling from its worst-ever mass shooting after a gunman killed 10 people at an adult education center in Örebro on February 4 before taking his own life. The attack has prompted the Swedish government to tighten gun laws, restricting access to semi-automatic weapons and strengthening background checks.
Attack at Campus Risbergska
The shooting took place at Campus Risbergska, a school offering vocational training and language courses for adults, including many refugees. The attacker, identified in Swedish media as 35-year-old Rickard Andersson, entered the school around 12:30 p.m. and opened fire. Witnesses described chaos as students and teachers barricaded themselves inside classrooms. Cellphone footage showed alarms blaring and students hiding under desks.
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Police arrived within minutes and were fired upon with a rifle-style weapon. When they reached the scene, they found the suspect dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Three licensed rifles were discovered near his body, along with 10 empty magazines and large amounts of unused ammunition.
Victims and Ongoing Investigation
Authorities are still identifying victims, but reports confirm that among the dead were several Syrian Christians who had fled persecution. The first named victim is Salim Iskef, a 29-year-old Orthodox Christian who sought refuge in Sweden in 2015. Six others were wounded, five of whom underwent surgery.
Police have not found evidence of ideological motives but have not ruled out a racist motivation. The suspect was not known to law enforcement and had no gang affiliations. Investigators are also exploring whether Andersson had previously attended the school.
Government’s Response: Tougher Gun Laws
In response to the massacre, Sweden’s right-wing government, backed by far-right allies in parliament, has announced plans to tighten gun laws. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson emphasized the need to ensure that only responsible individuals can own firearms.
Key proposals include:
- Stricter vetting for firearm licenses, particularly for semi-automatic weapons like the AR-15, a model frequently used in mass shootings in the United States.
- Enhanced information-sharing between police and health authorities to prevent individuals with medical conditions from obtaining firearms.
- Faster implementation of surveillance measures, allowing schools to install security cameras more easily.
The opposition Social Democrats support the reforms but demand even stricter measures. Former Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson has also called on the European Union to curb violent content on social media, arguing that online extremism fuels such attacks.
National Mourning and Security Concerns
The attack has shocked Sweden, where school shootings are rare. A candlelight vigil in Örebro drew hundreds of mourners, including firefighters and students, paying tribute to the victims. “They came here to learn, not to die,” one grieving relative said.
The tragedy has also raised concerns over school security. Unlike in other countries, Swedish schools are largely open to the public, with minimal entry restrictions. Local authorities are now discussing whether additional security measures are needed.
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Sweden, despite its high legal gun ownership for hunting, has been struggling with a rise in gun violence, largely linked to gang crime. In 2023, it had the highest rate of deadly shootings per capita in the EU. The Örebro attack has intensified debates on gun control and public safety, marking a turning point in Sweden’s approach to firearm regulation.