OREBRO, Sweden — At least 11 people have been killed in a mass shooting at Risbergska School, an adult education centre in Orebro, marking the deadliest school shooting in Swedish history, authorities confirmed Tuesday, February 4, 2025.
The suspected gunman is believed to be among the deceased, and police have ruled out terrorism as a motive.
The attack, which began shortly after 12:30 local time (11:44 GMT), also left several others injured, with at least four victims undergoing emergency surgeries.
Shooter Acted Alone, Motive Unclear
Authorities have not yet identified the shooter but stated that he was not previously known to police. There is no indication of an ideological or terrorist link, police said.
“It is difficult to take in the magnitude of what has happened today,” Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said during an evening news conference, calling it “a very painful day for all in Sweden.”
Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer, who appeared alongside Kristersson, described the event as a national tragedy, adding that schools across the country would be safe to return to on Wednesday.
Survivors Describe Scene of Chaos
Students and staff at Risbergska School, which primarily serves individuals who have not completed primary or secondary education, were caught in the chaos as gunfire erupted.
“A guy next to me was shot in the shoulder. He was bleeding a lot,” Marwa, a student at the school, told TV4 Sweden.
“When I looked behind me, I saw three people on the floor bleeding,” she recalled. She and a friend wrapped a shawl around a victim’s wound in an attempt to stop the bleeding.
Another witness, teacher Lena Warenmark, told SVT public radio that she heard around 10 gunshots near her study area.
Meanwhile, Ali El Mokad, a man waiting outside a local hospital for news about his relative, said his cousin’s friend was so overwhelmed by what she witnessed inside the school that she collapsed in tears after describing the scene.
“She only saw people lying on the floor, injured, and blood everywhere,” he told Reuters.
Hospitals Mobilize to Treat Victims
Hospitals in the region cleared emergency rooms to accommodate the wounded.
Orebro University Hospital said it had treated five people with gunshot wounds, while a sixth person sustained minor injuries but was not shot.
Authorities confirmed that no children were among those being treated at the hospital.
Immediate Police Response and Investigation
Police initially classified the attack as an attempted murder, arson, and an aggravated weapons offense.
Later, they confirmed the rising death toll but did not specify an exact number beyond “around 10 fatalities.”
Following the shooting, authorities locked down nearby schools, urging residents to avoid the area.
Orebro police chief Roberto Eid Forest told the public: “We don’t want members of the public to go there.”
Government Vows Action, but No Continued Threat
Prime Minister Kristersson urged citizens to give law enforcement space to conduct their investigation.
It is with sadness that I have received information about the terrible act of violence in Örebro. My thoughts are with those who have been affected and their relatives. It is a very painful day for all of Sweden,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
“My thoughts are also with all those whose normal school day was replaced with terror. Being confined to a classroom with fear for your own life is a nightmare that no one should have to experience.
“The government is in close contact with the Police Authority and is closely monitoring developments.
“The operation is still ongoing and it is important that the public follows information from the police.
“My call is also to now give the police the peace of mind they need to investigate what happened and how these horrific crimes could have occurred,” he added.
He assured Swedes that there was no further threat to schools, adding that more details about the attack will be shared in the coming days.
This marks one of the deadliest mass shootings in Sweden’s modern history, prompting discussions about security at educational institutions and gun control measures in the country.
