Sweden was reeling and the authorities have been looking for solutions on Wednesday after what the federal government referred to as the worst mass capturing within the nation’s historical past.
The assault unfolded on Tuesday at an grownup schooling heart within the metropolis of Orebro, west of Stockholm, the capital. The police stated that a minimum of 11 folks have been killed — with the suspect believed to be among the many lifeless.
With Sweden in mourning, the authorities had but to determine a motive or establish who was concerned. Right here’s a take a look at what we all know.
What occurred?
Gunfire erupted at about 12:30 p.m. on the Risbergska instructional heart, which affords courses to about 2,000 adults. Cellphone footage broadcast on native tv confirmed college students cowering underneath desks and chairs.
The authorities responded with a “main operation,” sending police automobiles and armed officers swarming onto the campus. Close by colleges have been briefly placed on lockdown.
Early reviews stated that a minimum of 5 folks had been shot. On Wednesday morning, the police stated in a press release that 11 folks had been killed and that “the one that the police consider is the suspect is among the many deceased.”
At the very least six adults have been wounded, the police added, saying that they have been working to establish the victims and notify their households. The authorities additionally stated that six officers had been handled for smoke inhalation after responding to the scene.
Who’s the suspect?
The police haven’t recognized the suspect or speculated a couple of motive. They stated of their assertion solely that the suspect was “beforehand unknown to police.”
“We’ll return to the motive behind the capturing later,” they added.
The authorities initially stated that “all the pieces signifies that the perpetrator acted alone with out an ideological motive.” However on Wednesday, they stated they have been nonetheless working to grasp the circumstances and “whether or not extra persons are concerned” — urging any witnesses to come back ahead.
“If in case you have movies, we need to see them,” Roberto Eid Forest, the pinnacle of the native police, stated. “Should you have been there, we need to discuss to you.”
How is Sweden responding?
The assault despatched shock waves by Sweden. The nation was lengthy identified for low crime charges and excessive dwelling requirements, however statistics present that it has been grappling with one of many highest per capita charges of gun violence within the European Union.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson ordered flags flown at half-staff in response to what he referred to as a “horrific act of violence.”
Households of the lifeless and wounded have been gathering exterior the academic heart in Orebro, which remained shuttered and cordoned off with blue and white police tape on Wednesday. Law enforcement officials stood guard across the yellow-brick constructing as folks positioned flowers and candles exterior the middle, which affords courses to adults finding out for a highschool diploma.
Peter Larsson, the municipal director of Orebro, stated the academic heart would stay closed for a minimum of the remainder of the week.
“I’m devastated,” Mr. Larsson stated. “It’s actually, very heavy.”
