At least 11 killed in Sweden adult ed school shooting

The worst mass shooting in Swedish history took place in Orebro

Police outside site of mass school shooting in Orebro, Sweden
Sweden has 'by far the highest per capita rate of gun violence' in the European Union
(Image credit: Jonathan Nackstrand / AFP via Getty Images)

What happened

At least 11 people died in a shooting Tuesday at an adult education center in Orebro, Sweden, including the suspected gunman, police said. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson called the attack the "worst mass shooting in Swedish history."

Who said what

Located 125 miles west of Stockholm,, the school, Campus Risbergska, "serves students over age 20," most of whom are working to complete their high school education, The Associated Press said. It also offers "Swedish classes for immigrants, vocational training and programs for people with intellectual disabilities."

"Fatal attacks at schools are rare" in Sweden, with 10 such deaths recorded between 2010 and 2022, Reuters said. But a "wave of shootings and bombings caused by an endemic gang crime problem" has left the country with "by far the highest per capita rate of gun violence" in the European Union.

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What next?

Officials said the death toll could rise. Police did not publicly identify the suspected shooter or offer a motive, though they said they did not believe it was tied to terrorism or organized crime. "The time will come when we will know what happened" and why, Kristersson said in a press conference. "Let us not speculate."

Rafi Schwartz, The Week US

Rafi Schwartz has worked as a politics writer at The Week since 2022, where he covers elections, Congress and the White House. He was previously a contributing writer with Mic focusing largely on politics, a senior writer with Splinter News, a staff writer for Fusion's news lab, and the managing editor of Heeb Magazine, a Jewish life and culture publication. Rafi's work has appeared in Rolling Stone, GOOD and The Forward, among others.