OREBRO, Sweden, Feb 6 (Reuters) - Police in Sweden revealed on Thursday that the gunman responsible for the deaths of 11 individuals at an adult education center in central Sweden could have been a student at the school. The chaotic aftermath of the horrific attack was described by authorities as resembling an "inferno."
Authorities suspect that the assailant, reportedly a 35-year-old unemployed recluse, acted alone during the assault at the educational campus in Orebro, located approximately 200 km (125 miles) west of Stockholm. The gunman was found dead alongside three rifles, with evidence suggesting he took his own life.
In a press briefing, Orebro police chief Lars Wiren recounted the harrowing scene: "The police who arrived at the scene have spoken about what could be described as an inferno ... dead people and injured people, screams and smoke." Police discovered 10 empty bullet magazines and a significant amount of unused ammunition at the site.
Wiren stated that the police arrived swiftly, within five minutes of the alarm being raised, and avoided engagement with the attacker. Upon the arrival of a heavily armed response team, approximately 10 minutes later, efforts to locate the gunman within the 17,000 square-meter premises were challenging due to the presence of smoke caused by "some sort of pyrotechnics."
Authorities confirmed that the shooter, who was not previously known to law enforcement, did not have apparent "ideological motives." However, investigations leader Anna Bergqvist stressed the importance of determining a motive promptly.
The adult education center, where the tragic incident unfolded, offers courses for adults and Swedish language classes for immigrants. The victims' identities have not been disclosed yet, but reports suggest that Syrian citizens were among the casualties.
Sweden, known for its high incidence of gun ownership compared to other European countries, has been rattled by the unprecedented violence of this attack. The survivors, mainly adult students seeking qualifications and Swedish language skills, underwent surgery for gunshot wounds at a local hospital.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson condemned the attack as a "dark day" for the country and convened a government meeting with opposition parties to signal unity in response to the tragedy. Discussions on school security measures are expected following the incident.