A teacher has spoken of her horror after a gunman opened fire at an adult education centre in Sweden.
Eleven people were killed in the shooting at the Risbergska School in Örebro, some 125 miles west of Stockholm, on Tuesday at 12.33 local time.
Local police chief Roberto Eid Forest said the gunman, who was not previously known to the police and has no suspected links to gangs or terrorism, was among the dead.
Teachers and students have told of how they heard gunshots as they barricaded themselves in classrooms or ran for shelter after the alarm was raised on campus.
Maria Pegado, 54, a teacher at the school, said a person opened the door to her classroom and shouted to everyone to get out.
"I took all my 15 students out into the hallway and we started running," she said. "Then I heard two shots but we made it out. We were close to the school entrance. I saw people dragging injured out, first one, then another. I realised it was very serious.”
Sweden’s prime minister Ulf Kristersson said the mass shooting was the worst in Swedish history. "We have witnessed brutal, deadly violence against completely innocent people," he said.
A police investigation into murder, arson and an aggravated weapons offence has been opened.
Key Points
- Teacher recalls running from shooting with her 15 pupils
- Eleven dead in school shooting as police confirm suspect among deceased
- Six people hospitalised, authorities say
- Swedish PM condemns worst shooting in country's history
- What we know so far about the Sweden school shooting
Gunman believed to be among the dead, say police
03:23
,
Namita Singh
Police said the gunman was believed to be among those killed, adding that the motive of the attacker was not immediately known.
"We have a big crime scene, we have to complete the searches we are conducting in the school. There are a number of investigative steps we are taking: a profile of the perpetrator, witness interviews," local police chief Roberto Eid Forest said.
What Swedish prime minister Ulf Kristersson said at his press conference
03:15
,
Alex Ross
Just hours after the attack at the adult education centre on the outskirts Orebro, Sweden’s prime minster, Ulf Kristersson gave a press conference to explain what had happened.
As he spoke, a final death toll, a conclusive number of wounded and a motive still had not been confirmed.
He said: "Today, we have witnessed brutal, deadly violence against completely innocent people.
"This is the worst mass shooting in Swedish history. Many questions remain unanswered, and I cannot provide those answers either.
"But the time will come when we will know what happened, how it could occur, and what motives may have been behind it. Let us not speculate."
Painful day, says prime minister as he mourns shooting
02:53
,
Namita Singh
Sweden's prime minister has mourned the deadliest gun attack in the country's history, calling it a “painful day”.
"It is hard to take in the full extent of what has happened today – the darkness that now lowers itself across Sweden tonight," said prime minister Ulf Kristersson.
King Carl XVI Gustav also conveyed his condolences. "It is with deep sadness and dismay that my family and I received the news about the terrible atrocity in Orebro," he said.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen expressed her sympathy on X, saying: "In this dark hour, we stand with the people of Sweden."
Member of Islamic organisation injured in the attack - local media report
02:00
,
Alex Ross
Gothenburg-based media outlet Expressen is reporting that a person hurt in the shooting was a member of the Bosnian Islamic Assembly in Orebro.
The newspaper says the assembly has confirmed the member, a security manager at a non-profit organisation, was injured.
Expressen report he was a student at the school. He was taken to hospital where his condition is serious but stable, the outlet adds.
Ukraine president Zelensky issues statement
01:00
,
Alex Ross
Among the world leaders who have responded to Tuesday’s attack is Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky.
On social media he wrote: “Condolences to Ulf Kristersson and all Swedes on the tragic shooting at Risbergska School in Örebro that claimed so many innocent lives.
“Our hearts go out to the victims’ families and loved ones. On this painful day, we reunite in mourning with friendly Sweden and share the pain of the Swedish people.”
Schools in Orebo to reopen on Wednesday
00:01
,
Alex Ross
Schools in Orebro will open as usual on Wednesday after the mass shooting at Risbergska School.
The adult education centre will remain closed.
Petter Larsson, municipal director of Orebro Municipality, said others would be open for classes to help people come together in the wake of the “crisis”.
“We are doing everything we can to prepare and we have loaded up with crisis support and resources when students and staff return,” he said.
“It is our best assessment to open the schools now so we can meet and talk and offer crisis time on site.
“We think it is important that we come together. We do not assess that there is any threat.”
Eleven dead in school shooting as police confirm suspect among deceased
Tuesday 4 February 2025 23:44
,
Gustaf Kilander
Swedish police have confirmed that 11 people have died in the worst school shooting in the country’s history, Swedish daily Dagens Nyheter reported.
The suspect, who was not known to police before the shooting, is among the dead, law enforcement confirmed.
'He was shooting in the hallway' - another student gives her account on the attack
Tuesday 4 February 2025 23:40
,
Alex Ross
A 43-year-old woman who was studying at the school has told of how she escaped the shooting.
The woman, who had only joined the school three weeks ago, said she fled by running toward the entrance of the school after hearing shots.
“He was shooting in the hallway, I don't know if it was just one shooter. It felt like there were more people, there were shots all the time. Lots of shots. First it was shot indoors, then outdoors,” the woman told Expressen.
Despite getting home, the woman was back at the school on Tuesday night to light candles in the remembrance of those who died.
'Lock the doors and get on the floor' - student tells of horror inside classroom
Tuesday 4 February 2025 23:10
Swedish media have been speaking to some of those caught up in the shooting at the adult education centre.
Hellen Werme, 35, told Expressen she was small classroom when she heard the first shot, then several more.
“My teacher shouted ‘lock the doors and get on the floor’,” ehe said.
“Just outside the door, footsteps passed. He was so close that you could hear him walking.”
Two hours later, armed police entered the room, she said, before checking if anyone inside had any weapons.
“My stomach hurts. I'm still shaking,” Ms Werme said.
Pictures from Orebro as police continue the investigation
Tuesday 4 February 2025 22:50
,
Alex Ross
A 'loner' with a weapons licence - Swedish media report on the suspect
Tuesday 4 February 2025 22:23
,
Alex Ross
As police investigate the worst mass shooting in Sweden, the country’s media outlets are running reports on the suspect.
Police have said they believe the suspect of the shooting at the adult education centre is among the around 10 dead.
In reports on the shooting, TV4 News said the suspect was aged 35 and had a weapons licence.
News outlet Expressen said people who knew him described him as a “loner”.
Police believe the shooter acted alone in the attack.
Police investigation continuing into the night
Tuesday 4 February 2025 22:05
,
Alex Ross
As we reported earlier, police have launched an investigation after the shooting at the adult education centre at 12:33 local time.
The gunman, local police say, is believed to be among the 10 dead.
Several hours after the attack, police are still going through the crime scene and have searched several addresses in Orebro.
Officers remain outside an apartment building.
"We saw a lot of police with drawn weapons," said Lingam Tuohmaki, 42, who lives in the same building. "We were at home and heard a commotion outside."
Full report: ‘Terror’ as Swedish school shooting leaves 10 dead, including gunman
Tuesday 4 February 2025 20:44
,
Andy Gregory
Students prayed under their desks and trapped teachers sent desperate texts to loved ones when a gunman opened fire at an adult education centre in Sweden, leaving 10 people dead.
Armed police exchanged shots with the suspect at the Risbergska School, an adult campus in the city of Orebro, some 125 miles west of Stockholm.
The horrific attack – described by prime minister Ulf Kristersson as the worst mass shooting in Swedish history – unfolded on Tuesday after many students had gone home following a national exam.
Read the full report here:
Police raid suspect's home
Tuesday 4 February 2025 20:27
,
Andy Gregory
Police raided the suspect's home after Tuesday's shooting, but it was not immediately clear what they found.
Örebro’s district police chief said there were no warning signs before the attack and authorities were working to identify the deceased.
EU chief laments 'truly horrifying' violence in Sweden
Tuesday 4 February 2025 20:10
,
Andy Gregory
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has said that the bloc stands with the people of Sweden.
Writing on X, Ms von der Leyen said: “What happened today in Örebro is truly horrifying. Such violence and terror have no place in our societies—least of all in schools.
“In this dark hour, we stand with the people of Sweden. Our thoughts are with the victims, and we wish them strength and a swift recovery.”
German chancellor Olaf Scholz expresses shock at 'terrible act of violence' in Sweden
Tuesday 4 February 2025 19:53
,
Andy Gregory
Germany’s chancellor Olaf Scholz has expressed his sympathy to Sweden in the wake of today’s “terrible” violence.
He wrote on X: “The news about the terrible act of violence in a school in Swedish Örebro shocks me. My thoughts are with the victims and their families. Our sympathies go out to Sweden.”
School at centre of shooting teaches pupils aged over 20
Tuesday 4 February 2025 19:24
,
Andy Gregory
The school, called Campus Risbergska, serves students over age 20, according to its website.
Primary and upper secondary school courses are offered, as well as Swedish classes for immigrants, vocational training and programs for people with intellectual disabilities.
Campus was quieter than usual due to national exams, teacher says
Tuesday 4 February 2025 19:17
,
Andy Gregory
The shooting erupted after many students had gone home following a national exam. Police vehicles and ambulances, lights flashing, blanketed the parking lots and streets around the school as a helicopter buzzed overhead.
Teacher Lena Warenmark told SVT News that there were unusually few students on the campus Tuesday afternoon after the exam. She also told the broadcaster that she heard probably 10 gunshots.
Students sheltered in nearby buildings. Other parts of the school were evacuated following the shooting, which began at around 12:30pm local time.
Andreas Sundling, 28, was among those forced to barricade themselves inside the school.
"We heard three bangs and loud screams," he told the Expressen newspaper while sheltering in a classroom.
Justice minister says police being assisted by security services
Tuesday 4 February 2025 18:52
,
Andy Gregory
Police attended the scene as soon as the alarm was sounded, Sweden’s justice minister Gunnar Strömmer told the press conference.
We know that about 10 people have been killed and many others have been injured, and we know that police and our healthcare workers are now taking care of these people, Mr Strömmer said.
The primary suspect is thought to be among the dead, he reiterated, adding that it was a person who was not previously known to the police.
“We still don’t know why this happened. We don’t know what the motives could have been. We hope to have those answers. Police are working very hard to find that out,” he said.
Police in Örebro are being assisted by forces across the country and also the special security services, he said.
Police do not believe at present that there is a risk of further attacks, Mr Strömmer added.
Sweden's justice minister says impact of shooting will be felt across the country
Tuesday 4 February 2025 18:48
,
Andy Gregory
Sweden’s justice minister Gunnar Strömmer has said that the shooting in Örebro will have ripple effects across the country.
He told a press conference: “This was a terrible tragedy. We are all shaken to the core. This is something that we’ve sometimes seen occur in other countries and thought could not happen in Sweden. But it has.
“We know that there have been school shootings before in Sweden – one in Malmo in 2022, for example – but they have not been of the magnitude we have seen ... It is a tragedy. Especially of course for those directly affected and their next of kin.”
He added: “We will of course be returning to this day over and over again in many different contexts in the future. It will have ripple effects for our society.”
'Your grief is our grief': Swedish PM thanks rescuers for their courage
Tuesday 4 February 2025 18:44
,
Andy Gregory
Sweden’s prime minister has thanked rescuers for their courage in responding to the Örebro school shooting.
Ulf Kristersson told a press conference: “I would now like to urge you all to give the police the freedom they need to do the work they must do. And I also want to thank the students, teachers, all the staff at the school for the courage you have shown today.
“I also want to thank all the rescue services. Your work is a matter of life and death. Thank you. And our police officers who have been out there today protecting others, risking their own lives in doing so. Thank you.
“My thoughts, the thoughts of all of Sweden, are now first and foremost with all those who are the direct victims of this heinous act. Your grief is our grief. We are here with you.”
'This was the worst school shooting in Sweden's history,' says PM
Tuesday 4 February 2025 18:42
,
Andy Gregory
Sweden’s prime minister Ulf Kristersson is now giving a press conference about the shooting in Örebro.
He told reporters: “This was an act of brutal, lethal violence committed against completely innocent people. This was the worst school shooting in Sweden’s history. We are still looking for many answers. I don’t have those answers for you now either.
“But there will be a time when we know what happened, how it was able to happen, and what the motives may have been. But let us not speculate now.
“Today we know that many, many people are in the depths of despair. Offer them all the support you can. Many children are frightened, so we must comfort them. We all have a role to play in overcoming this deep grief.”
Sweden's King sends condolences to victim of school shooting
Tuesday 4 February 2025 18:36
,
Andy Gregory
Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf has issued a statement about the “terrible atrocity” in Örebro.
The monarch said: “It is with sadness and dismay that my family and I have received the information about the terrible atrocity in Örebro.
“We send our condolences tonight to the families and friends of the deceased. Our thoughts at this time also go to the injured and their relatives, as well as to others affected.
“My family and I would like to express our great appreciation for the police, rescue and medical personnel who worked intensively to save and protect human lives on this dark day.”
Swedish PM to hold press conference
Tuesday 4 February 2025 18:14
,
Andy Gregory
Sweden’s prime minister Ulf Kristersson is due to hold a news conference in just over 15 minutes alongside justice minister Gunnar Strömmer.
What we know now about Sweden school schooting
Tuesday 4 February 2025 18:07
,
Andy Gregory
Here is a round-up of what we know so far about the school shooting in Örebro:
- Around 10 people have been killed in the shooting at the Risbergska School, however police said the extent of the incident meant that it was not yet possible to give a definitive death toll.
- The suspected gunman is thought to be among those killed in the incident.
- The suspect was not previously known to police and has no suspected links to terrorism or gangs at this point. There are no currently suspected connections to terrorism at this point, police said.
- Detectives believe the suspect was acting alone and do not expect any further violence.
- The shooting, at a campus serving those aged 20 and above, erupted after many students had gone home following a national exam.
Teacher recalls running from shooting with her 15 pupils
Tuesday 4 February 2025 17:57
,
Andy Gregory
Maria Pegado, 54, a teacher at the school, said someone threw open the door to her classroom just after lunch break and shouted to everyone to get out.
"I took all my 15 students out into the hallway and we started running," she told Reuters by phone. "Then I heard two shots but we made it out. We were close to the school entrance."
"I saw people dragging injured out, first one, then another. I realised it was very serious," she said.
Police investigating murder, arson and firearms offences
Tuesday 4 February 2025 17:39
,
Andy Gregory
Police said they had opened an investigation into murder, arson and an aggravated weapons offence.
Damage so extensive that detectives unable to be certain of death toll, police chief says
Tuesday 4 February 2025 17:33
,
Andy Gregory
The damage at the crime scene was so extensive that investigators were unable to be more definitive on the death toll, said police chief Roberto Eid Forest, who estimated that 10 people had died in the shooting.
No suspected connections to terrorism or gang violence at this point, police say
Tuesday 4 February 2025 17:30
,
Andy Gregory
Police said that there were no suspected connections to terrorism at this point.
Police chief Roberto Eid Forest also told reporters that the suspect – believed to be among the dead – was not previously known to police, and had no known connection to any gang.
Police believe suspected shooter is dead and was acting alone
Tuesday 4 February 2025 17:20
,
Andy Gregory
Police believe the perpetrator is among those killed in the school shooting, and that they acted alone, Örebro’s district police chief Roberto Eid Forest told the press conference.
"At the moment we are confident that no more attacks will occur. The schools that were occupied have been evacuated," the police chief said, according to broadcaster SVT.
However, detectives are not ruling out the possibility that multiple people were involved and that the situation could change, he added.
Around 10 people killed in shooting, police say
Tuesday 4 February 2025 17:10
,
Andy Gregory
Around 10 people have been killed in the shooting, Örebro’s district police chief has told reporters.
Detectives are still identifying the dead and cannot yet provide any details about the victims, Roberto Eid Forest told a press conference, according to Swedish broadcaster SVT.
Everything we know about the Sweden school shooting
Tuesday 4 February 2025 17:00
,
Alexander Butler
Watch: Five people shot at school in Sweden
Tuesday 4 February 2025 16:45
,
Alexander Butler
Teacher recalls running for her life
Tuesday 4 February 2025 16:30
,
Alexander Butler
Maria Pegado, 54, a teacher at the school, said someone threw open the door to her classroom just after lunch break and shouted to everyone to get out.
"I took all my 15 students out into the hallway and we started running," she said.
"Then I heard two shots but we made it out. We were close to the school entrance."
"I saw people dragging injured people out, first one, then another. I realised it was very serious," she said.
Police raid gunman's flat, reports say
Tuesday 4 February 2025 16:28
,
Alexander Butler
Police have raided a flat in Örebro which is believed to be connected with the gunman, swedish media outlet STV reported.
Six people hospitalised, authorities say
Tuesday 4 February 2025 16:26
,
Alexander Butler
Six people, none of whom are children, are currently hospitalised following the Örebro shooting.
Swedish authorities said six were in Örebro University Hospital. Previously, police said five people had been shot.
Swedish media outlet STV reported that at least several people were killed and 15 were injured in the attack. This has not been confirmed.
Watch: Police surround Swedish school after five people shot
Tuesday 4 February 2025 16:15
,
Alexander Butler
Pictured: Örebro school shooting
Tuesday 4 February 2025 15:53
,
Alexander Butler
Swedish PM condemns 'terrible' violence
Tuesday 4 February 2025 15:36
,
Alexander Butler
Swedish prime minister Ulf Kristersson condemned the attack as a “terrible act of violence” as he paid tribute to those killed.
“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,” he said.
Det är med sorg jag har fått information om det fruktansvärda våldsdådet i Örebro. Mina tankar är hos de som har drabbats och deras anhöriga.
— SwedishPM (@SwedishPM) February 4, 2025
Det är en mycket smärtsam dag för hela Sverige. Mina tankar är också hos alla dem vars vanliga skoldag utbyttes mot skräck. Att vara…
'Several killed' in shooting, reports say
Tuesday 4 February 2025 15:31
,
Alexander Butler
Several people have been killed and dozens injured after a gunman opened fire on an adult school campus in Sweden, according to reports.
Swedish broadcaster SVT reported that several people were dead and 15 were injured after the attack on the Risbergska School, Örebro, some 200 km (125 miles) west of Stockholm on Tuesday.
Police have not confirmed this but said five people had been shot, with four of those currently undergoing surgery in hospital.
Witness heard 'loud screams'
Tuesday 4 February 2025 15:16
,
Alexander Butler
Andreas Sundling, 28, was among those forced to barricade themselves inside the school.
"We heard three bangs and loud screams," he told Expressen newspaper while sheltering in a classroom.
"Now we're sitting here waiting to be evacuated from the school. The information we have received is that we should sit and wait."
What we know so far
Tuesday 4 February 2025 15:09
,
Alexander Butler
At least five people have been hospitalised following an attack at the school in Örebro
Four of the hospitalised had to undergo surgeries, with one of them in a serious condition
Police believe the gunman may be among the injured
Locals describe 'really bad' shooting
Tuesday 4 February 2025 14:48
,
Alex Croft
Knut Säborg, who owns Knut Saeborg Dance Studio told the Independent: “It’s 100 yards from our dance studio, so its really, really bad. So we have to close the dance studio tonight.
“There are loads of national guard, they sealed off a very big area. Helicopters and everything, you know.
“They don’t want people to come there because they don’t know if they’ve hidden any explosives or anything, so it’s only police that’s allowed in the area.
“We have sent an email to all the parents and all the pupils that our dance studio is closed tonight, because we are only 100 yards from it, we are just a few yards from where it actually happened.”
Press conference ongoing
Tuesday 4 February 2025 14:46
Swedish police are currently holding a press conference giving updates on the attack.
Örebro police chief Roberto Eid Forest said the perpetrator was found with a gunshot wound.
Suspect among the injured, police confirm
Tuesday 4 February 2025 14:40
,
Alexander Butler
A number of injured people have been found with gunshot wounds and one of these people is someone we suspect may be the perpetrator, says Roberto Eid Forest, police district chief in Örebro.
Watch: Five shot at adult education centre in Sweden as minister makes statement
Tuesday 4 February 2025 14:22
,
Alexander Butler
What school was attacked?
Tuesday 4 February 2025 14:12
,
Alexander Butler
The attack took place at Risbergska School, an education campus serving a wide range of students, Swedish media reported.
The school’s website says it mostly deals with adult education and works with people over the age of 20, offering various levels of training and language courses for immigrants to Sweden.
Air ambulance arriving at the scene, say local authorities
Tuesday 4 February 2025 14:06
,
Tom Watling
An air ambulance is on its way to the scene, local officials have reported.
Meanwhile, a police helicopter, pictured below, was later seen arriving in the area.
Mapped: School shooting leaves five wounded in Sweden
Tuesday 4 February 2025 13:56
,
Tom Watling
We have some more details on the school
Tuesday 4 February 2025 13:51
,
Tom Watling
Below, we have some details on the school in which five people have been shot following an attack.
The school, called Campus Risbergska, serves students who are over age 20, according to its website.
Primary and upper secondary school courses are offered, as well as Swedish classes for immigrants, vocational training and programs for people with intellectual disabilities.
The city of Örebro, in which the school is located, has a population of around 155,000 people.
Several schools in the region lock students in buildings
Tuesday 4 February 2025 13:49
,
Tom Watling
Several schools in the Örebro area have locked their students inside on the advice of the police, Swedish media is reporting.
Former Sweden PM issues statement on shooting
Tuesday 4 February 2025 13:47
,
Tom Watling
The former prime minister of Sweden has issued a statement on the shooting, urging the public to follow the instructions of the local authorities.
Social Democratic Party leader Magdalena Andersson wrote: “Following the terrible information about the shooting at a school in Örebro.
“My thoughts go out to those affected, their relatives and the police officers on the spot. Very important that the public now follows the instructions of the Police and other authorities.”
Five people shot in Sweden school attack
Tuesday 4 February 2025 13:43
,
Tom Watling
Five people have been shot at an adult education centre in Sweden, police have said, with four in the hospital.
Authorities say that the danger wasn't over and urged the public to stay away from the school.
The extent of the victims' injuries wasn't immediately clear. The adult education center is about 125 miles west of Stockholm.
Students are being sheltered in nearby buildings. Other parts of the school were evacuated following the violence.
"The reports of violence in Orebro are very serious. 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," Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer told Swedish news agency TT.
In pictures: Police search Swedish school after shooting
Tuesday 4 February 2025 13:41
,
Tom Watling
Below, we have some pictures from the scene as police are searching the school in southern Sweden.
