A tragic event unfolded at a multicultural school in Orebro, Sweden, where a gunman carried out a deadly shooting, leaving 10 victims in its wake, including Syrians and a Bosnian. The incident marked the worst shooting in Swedish history, with the suspected gunman, identified as 35-year-old Rickard Andersson, found dead at the scene alongside three guns.
Authorities, initially relying on information from embassies rather than local police, revealed that individuals of various nationalities and ages were among the casualties. The chaos witnessed by officers upon entering the school was described as an “inferno” by the regional police chief, Lars Wiren, detailing a harrowing scene of death, screams, and smoke within the expansive school complex spanning 17,000 sq m.
As details of the victims emerged, it was disclosed that Salim Iskef, a 29-year-old Syrian Orthodox Christian who had fled Aleppo in 2015, was among those tragically killed. The slow dissemination of information by the police prompted frustration among some, including Bosnian Ambassador Bojan Sosic, who emphasized the importance of transparency and communication with relevant embassies.
The community in Orebro mourned the loss as floral tributes were laid outside the school, reflecting the somber impact of the violent attack. Investigations into the incident are ongoing, with authorities working to piece together the sequence of events that led to this devastating tragedy.
Anna Bergqvist reported that the suspect had taken his own life. She verified that three firearms were discovered at the location alongside the perpetrator, out of a total of four guns known to have been legally registered to him. However, she declined to disclose the specific types of weapons or ammunition that were used in the incident. Law enforcement officials have chosen to remain tight-lipped regarding details about the suspect and the potential motive behind the violent attack.
Anna Bergqvist clarified that the reason for the delay in revealing the suspect’s identity was due to the need to await the matching of DNA samples. While it is customary for Swedish police to withhold the identification of suspects until charges are formally brought, Bergqvist mentioned that an exception was likely in this case, with a name expected to be disclosed in the days ahead.
The Risbergska school offers adult education for individuals over the age of 20 who did not complete their primary or secondary schooling, as well as Swedish language courses for immigrants. Concerns about a racial aspect to the shooting had previously been voiced by young residents in Orebro, and a statement from Syria confirmed that immigrants were among those affected. A video obtained from a school restroom during the attack was broadcast on Sweden’s TV4 channel, capturing the chilling words “away from Europe!” It remains unclear who uttered these words, as authorities have refrained from discussing a definitive motive for the tragic event.
Sweden is in a state of mourning following its deadliest shooting incident, as further information about the gunman continues to emerge. Anna Bergqvist, however, appeared to backtrack on the initial assertion made by authorities on Tuesday that the attack was devoid of ideological motives. “Why that statement was made, I cannot comment,” she remarked. “We are exploring various possible motives and will disclose them once we have conclusive findings.”
Local reports have characterized Rickard Andersson as a recluse, with one source suggesting that his assault may have been directed at local social services. According to an account from Swedish news site Aftonbladet, he had allegedly engaged in a dispute with a social worker over the termination of his welfare benefits due to insufficient efforts in seeking employment. Law enforcement had earlier stated that the suspect had no prior criminal record, no apparent links to criminal organizations, and that terrorism was not believed to be a motivating factor behind the attack.
