On February 4, 2025, a mass shooting occurred at an adult education center in Örebro, Sweden, about 124 miles west of Stockholm. The 35-year-old gunman, Rickard Andersson, armed with a hunting rifle, killed 10 people and injured five before committing suicide.
Campus Risbergska was the scene of the attack, with police receiving the first reports of gunfire at 12:33 p.m. local time. The shooting began after many students had left after national examinations, but a significant number still remained in the building. The shooter used smoke-producing devices throughout the facility, hindering evacuation and emergency response procedures.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson denounced the attack as a barbaric act of deadly violence against innocent people, labeling it the worst mass shooting in Sweden’s history. In a press conference in Stockholm, he stated that while many questions remained, full details were not immediately available. He urged the public to refrain from speculation as authorities would uncover the details and possible motives behind the attack in due time.
Located roughly 124 miles west of Stockholm, Campus Risbergska serves as an essential educational center, offering adult primary and secondary education, Swedish language classes for immigrants, vocational training, and specialized programs for people with intellectual disabilities. The site had been previously identified as a potential target by the municipality, leading to specialized response training for such incidents.
The expansive campus made emergency response difficult. Six of the victims were quickly transported to Orebro University Hospital, which had cleared emergency rooms and intensive care units in preparation for casualties. Of the five victims with gunshot wounds, two remained in intensive care in stable yet serious condition. Six police officers also required treatment for smoke inhalation suffered while combing through the extensive campus buildings.
Andersson, characterized by sources as a recluse, had minimal contact with his family in recent years and had recently changed his name. Despite being unemployed, he held a valid hunting license and had no criminal record. Preliminary investigations have not uncovered any connections to gangs or ideological groups.
Witnesses recounted the terrifying scene as it unfolded. Healthcare student Hellen Werme, 35, hid with classmates and teachers as the gunman roamed outside their classroom. They initially mistook the first gunshots for a slamming door and quickly barricaded themselves behind hospital beds. Thinking of her two young children, Werme described the experience as the worst hours of her life, fearing the gunman could enter at any moment.
Student Mirna Essa reported hearing a woman begging, “No, no, no,” followed by more gunfire. Panic ensued as people ran for their lives. Overwhelmed, Essa later returned to the school to light a candle but was unable to enter, haunted by thoughts of those who perished.
Andreas Sundling and his classmates used tables and chairs to barricade their room, taking cover under desks as shots echoed through the building. They waited almost two and a half hours before police broke down the door. Upon emerging, they found the floors covered in blood.
Amid the sounds of gunfire echoing through the building, teacher Mattias Jansson relied on emergency training to help evacuate students. As survivors grapple with the trauma, the investigation continues.
During the police operation, nearby schools went into immediate lockdown. Local hospitals activated emergency protocols through the afternoon as the situation developed. Before taking his life, the gunman reportedly fired at the responding officers.
King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia visited the site to pay their respects. The Queen placed bright white flowers at a temporary memorial close to the site of the tragedy. The King later expressed to reporters that mourning is hard to bear alone, conveying that the entire nation shared the grief of this devastating event.
This attack took place against the backdrop of rising violence in Sweden. The number of gun-related crimes has dramatically increased despite strict firearm laws. In 2022, there were 391 shootings, resulting in 62 deaths and 107 injuries. Sweden currently has the highest per capita rate of deadly gun violence in the European Union, although school shootings remain relatively rare.
Police investigators continue to gather witness statements and review video footage to determine a motive. A search was conducted at the gunman’s residence, although details are yet to be made public. The Swedish Justice Minister joined the Prime Minister in Orebro as officials coordinated their response.
