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Friday, Feb 07, 2025
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Sweden's Risbergska School Shooting: Tragedy Claims Ten Lives
A lone gunman opened fire at an adult education center in Örebro, resulting in the deadliest mass shooting in Sweden's history.
On February 6, 2025, a tragic shooting occurred at the Risbergska adult education center in Örebro, Sweden, claiming the lives of ten individuals, including the shooter, Rickard Andersson, 35. The incident is regarded as the worst mass shooting in the country’s history.
The shooting began around 1 PM local time, when Andersson reportedly opened fire with an automatic weapon at the educational facility, which serves adults seeking to complete their secondary education or pursue higher academic qualifications.
The center is located approximately 200 kilometers (125 miles) west of Stockholm and is situated on a campus that also includes schools for children.
Emergency services responded swiftly, deploying armed response units to the scene.
Students at surrounding educational institutions were locked down for safety, following a “danger to life” warning issued by police spokesperson Lars Hedelin.
The police stated that they received multiple reports of shots being fired, and they urged the public to avoid the area as they undertook a search and evacuation of the premises.
Witnesses of the shooting reported hearing frightening screams, with one student capturing footage that appeared to show Andersson shouting a politically charged phrase before the violence began.
This video, recorded by student Hashem Shams, highlighted the chaotic atmosphere inside the school while he hid in a bathroom.
Following the shooting, police confirmed that armed officers conducted a raid on the building to locate the shooter.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson addressed the media, declaring, "We have witnessed brutal, deadly violence against completely innocent people." He emphasized the severity of the incident as the worst mass shooting in the nation’s history.
Kristersson remarked on the ongoing investigations, stating, "Many questions remain unanswered, and I cannot provide those answers either," as authorities sought to understand the motive behind the attack.
Preliminary updates indicated that while ten individuals had died, several others were reported injured, with at least four undergoing surgery.
One victim was in critical condition, while others were assessed as stable or lightly injured.
Rickard Andersson, described by relatives as a reclusive individual with a history of social phobia, had moved to Sweden from Syria in 2015 and had gained Swedish citizenship.
He had reportedly not been in contact with his family in recent years, and there had been significant concern regarding his mental wellbeing.
In particular, family members noted that he had struggled with social interactions and had distanced himself from former friends.
Authorities confirmed that Andersson was believed to have died at the scene, and initial investigations indicated that there were no further active threats.
Police ruled out terrorism as a motive at this stage, noting that there had been no prior warning signs of potential violence.
As investigations continue, further details are expected to emerge regarding the identity of the victims and the circumstances that led to the tragedy at Risbergska school, a place of learning now marked by violence.
The shooting began around 1 PM local time, when Andersson reportedly opened fire with an automatic weapon at the educational facility, which serves adults seeking to complete their secondary education or pursue higher academic qualifications.
The center is located approximately 200 kilometers (125 miles) west of Stockholm and is situated on a campus that also includes schools for children.
Emergency services responded swiftly, deploying armed response units to the scene.
Students at surrounding educational institutions were locked down for safety, following a “danger to life” warning issued by police spokesperson Lars Hedelin.
The police stated that they received multiple reports of shots being fired, and they urged the public to avoid the area as they undertook a search and evacuation of the premises.
Witnesses of the shooting reported hearing frightening screams, with one student capturing footage that appeared to show Andersson shouting a politically charged phrase before the violence began.
This video, recorded by student Hashem Shams, highlighted the chaotic atmosphere inside the school while he hid in a bathroom.
Following the shooting, police confirmed that armed officers conducted a raid on the building to locate the shooter.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson addressed the media, declaring, "We have witnessed brutal, deadly violence against completely innocent people." He emphasized the severity of the incident as the worst mass shooting in the nation’s history.
Kristersson remarked on the ongoing investigations, stating, "Many questions remain unanswered, and I cannot provide those answers either," as authorities sought to understand the motive behind the attack.
Preliminary updates indicated that while ten individuals had died, several others were reported injured, with at least four undergoing surgery.
One victim was in critical condition, while others were assessed as stable or lightly injured.
Rickard Andersson, described by relatives as a reclusive individual with a history of social phobia, had moved to Sweden from Syria in 2015 and had gained Swedish citizenship.
He had reportedly not been in contact with his family in recent years, and there had been significant concern regarding his mental wellbeing.
In particular, family members noted that he had struggled with social interactions and had distanced himself from former friends.
Authorities confirmed that Andersson was believed to have died at the scene, and initial investigations indicated that there were no further active threats.
Police ruled out terrorism as a motive at this stage, noting that there had been no prior warning signs of potential violence.
As investigations continue, further details are expected to emerge regarding the identity of the victims and the circumstances that led to the tragedy at Risbergska school, a place of learning now marked by violence.
