Gunman opens fire at a Swedish school, resulting in multiple deaths
Several people have been killed after a gunman opened fire at a school in Sweden.
Police confirmed around five people have also been injured in the rampage that unfolded shortly after 12.30pm local time at Risbergska School in the city of Örebro, 125 miles west of Stockholm.
It is suspected that one of the people in the hospital is the perpetrator in the shooting.
The Swedish news agency TT reported, without providing its sources, that the gunman died by suicide.
People hid under tables in classrooms as gunfire rang out (Picture: Local News Outlet via Aftonbladet)
Police did not immediately confirm that reporting, but the head of the local police told a news conference that the suspect was among the five people shot.
‘This is currently seen as attempted murder, arson and aggravated weapons offence,’ they said in a statement, adding that the extent of the injuries of the five people who had been shot remained unclear.
Students fled over fences after a gunman opened fire (Picture: Snapchat)
A helicopter spotted above the school after the rampage (Picture: AP)
A major police operation is underway at Risbergska School in the city of Örebro (Picture: Shutterstock)
Swedish media outlet Aftonbladet said a local hospital was being prepared for an influx of patients, with the emergency room and intensive care unit currently being emptied for victims.
‘We are continuing to search the school and are focusing on security work – which we have done during the day as well,’ a police statement added earlier.
‘We housed students and staff at several schools because we did not really know the perpetrator or the perpetrators’ next steps.’
Multiple police units and ambulances have been deployed to the scene of the attack (Picture: TT/Shutterstock)
Police stressed that they now no longer believe that there are more attacks in the works and have begun an evacuation.
Contrary to what was reported earlier, no police officers were wounded in the operation.
An evacuation of the school buildings has now started. Students had been sheltering in nearby buildings. Other parts of the school were evacuated following the violence.
Earlier, authorities said they are responding to ‘threats of deadly violence’.
An updated later said: ‘An information point will be set up where relatives and others who have questions can gather.
Police at the scene of the attack (Picture: AP)
‘People are again urged not to go to school or hospital. We will return to where the point will be located.’
Residents of the Västhaga area where Risbergska School is located have also been ordered to shelter inside and not leave their homes.
Multiple police units and ambulances are already at the school, but more have been deployed since, suggesting a large-scale operation.
‘The reports of violence in Orebro are very serious,’ justice minister Gunnar Strömmer told Swedish news agency TT.
‘The police are on site and the operation is in full swing. The government is in close contact with the police, and is closely following developments.’
Daniel Helldén, spokesperson for the Green Party, said his thoughts go out to the students, staff and their relatives.
He wrote on X: ‘It’s terrible what we’re getting from Örebro. My thoughts go out to everyone affected: students, staff, relatives.
‘It is unacceptable that this is happening and that the violence is spreading more and more.’
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