A 35-year-old gunman, Rickard Andersson, armed with a hunting rifle opened fire at an adult education center in Örebro, Sweden, approximately 124 miles west of Stockholm, on February 4, 2025, killing 10 people and wounding five others before taking his own life.
Police received the first reports of gunfire at Campus Risbergska at 12:33 p.m. local time. The attack occurred after many students had departed following national examinations, though dozens remained in the building. The gunman deployed smoke-producing devices throughout the facility, complicating evacuation and emergency response efforts.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson described the attack as an act of brutal and deadly violence against innocent people, calling it the worst mass shooting in the country’s history. Speaking to reporters in Stockholm, he acknowledged that many questions remained unanswered and stated that he could not provide further details at the time. However, he emphasized that in due course, authorities would uncover what transpired, and the possible motives behind it, urging the public to avoid speculation.
Campus Risbergska, located approximately 124 miles west of Stockholm, serves as a vital educational hub offering adult primary and secondary education, Swedish-language classes for immigrants, vocational training, and specialized programs for people with intellectual disabilities. The municipality had previously identified the facility as a potential target and conducted specialized response training for such scenarios.
The sprawling campus layout complicated emergency response. Six victims were rushed to Orebro University Hospital, where emergency rooms and intensive care units had been cleared in anticipation of casualties. Five suffered gunshot wounds, with two remaining in intensive care in stable but serious condition. Six police officers required treatment for smoke inhalation after searching the extensive campus buildings.
Andersson, described by sources as a recluse who had limited contact with his family in recent years, had recently changed both his first and last name. Although unemployed, he held a valid hunting license and had no prior criminal record. Initial investigation revealed no known connections to gangs or ideological groups.
Witnesses described the horror that unfolded. Healthcare student Hellen Werme, 35, hid with classmates and teachers as the gunman paced outside their classroom. Initially mistaking the first shots for a slamming door, they quickly barricaded themselves behind hospital beds. Werme, thinking of her two young children, described the ordeal as the worst hours of her life, fearing the gunman could enter at any moment.
Student Mirna Essa recalled hearing a woman plead, “No, no, no,” followed by gunfire. Chaos erupted as people ran for their lives. Overwhelmed, she later returned to the school to light a candle but couldn’t bring herself to go inside, unable to stop thinking about those who died.
Andreas Sundling and his classmates barricaded their room with tables and chairs, hiding under desks as shots rang out. They waited nearly two and a half hours until police broke down the door. When they emerged, blood covered the floors.
Teacher Mattias Jansson relied on emergency training as he helped evacuate students while gunfire echoed through the building. As survivors process the trauma, the investigation continues.
Several nearby schools implemented immediate lockdown procedures during the police operation. Local hospitals maintained emergency protocols throughout the afternoon as the situation unfolded. The gunman reportedly fired at responding officers before taking his own life.
King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia visited the site to pay their respects. The Queen placed bright white flowers at a makeshift memorial near the site of the tragedy. The King later told reporters that mourning is difficult to endure alone and expressed that the entire nation was sharing the grief of the devastating event.
The attack occurred amid escalating violence in Sweden, where gun-related crimes have surged despite strict firearm laws. In 2022, there were 391 shootings, resulting in 62 deaths and 107 injuries. Sweden now has the highest per capita rate of deadly gun violence in the European Union, though school shootings remain rare.
Police investigators continue gathering witness statements and reviewing video footage to establish a motive. A raid was conducted at the gunman’s residence, though details remain confidential. The Swedish Justice Minister joined the Prime Minister in Orebro as officials coordinated the response.