A gunman unleashed terror at an adult education center in Örebro, Sweden, on Tuesday, resulting in the death of at least 10 individuals and injuring six more. The horrifying incident took place at Campus Risbergska, a facility dedicated to adults who have not completed earlier stages of education. Among the injured, three women and two men were rushed to the hospital with gunshot wounds. The gunman was found dead on the scene, appearing to have taken his own life.
The shooting erupted at 12:33 p.m. local time (6:33 a.m. ET), prompting swift police action after they received reports of a shooting in Örebro, a city situated approximately 160 kilometers west of Stockholm. Prime Minister Kristersson described the attack as "the worst mass shooting in Swedish history."
“We’ve today seen brutal, deadly violence against completely innocent people – this is the worst mass shooting in Swedish history,” – Prime Minister Kristersson
Campus Risbergska, known locally as a Komvux, provides vocational training, Swedish language classes, and other educational opportunities for adults seeking employment. Fortunately, many students had already left the campus after completing a national exam earlier that day, possibly preventing an even higher casualty count.
The shooter reportedly entered a classroom where Mary Pegado, a 54-year-old teacher, was instructing her students. He ordered them to leave the premises. The students responded by barricading the doors and taking cover for close to an hour until police arrived and evacuated them safely. Andreas Sundling, a 28-year-old student, recounted their initial confusion over the sounds they heard but soon realized it could be gunfire.
“There was blood all over the corridor,” – Andreas Sundling
“Many of them have fled from countries where things like this happen, and now they experience it here. It is horrible,” – Mary Pegado
Sweden's high rates of gun ownership are notable within the European Union; however, stringent licensing requirements are in place for anyone wishing to own a firearm. Despite these regulations, the country experienced its highest rate of deadly gun violence per capita within the EU in 2023. In 2024 alone, at least 40 people were shot dead in Sweden, marking a decrease from a peak of 63 fatalities due to gun violence in 2022.
The investigation into this tragic event is ongoing, with law enforcement officials working to uncover motives and potential connections to previous incidents of gun violence. This attack has further fueled discussions around gun control and public safety measures within Sweden.
