Government offices, schools, and workplaces across Sweden observed a minute of silence at midday on Tuesday to remember the victims of a tragic incident at an adult education center. Last week, a gunman, identified as 35-year-old Rickard Andersson, fatally shot 10 people at Campus Risbergska school in Orebro, marking the deadliest mass shooting in Swedish history.
The community was deeply shocked by the attack, with individuals forced to barricade themselves in classrooms until police confirmed the assailant's suicide. Reportedly, the victims were chosen randomly, with over 50 shots fired during the rampage.
Andersson, with limited social connections and an online footprint, had purchased ammunition and smoke grenades recently. While authorities have yet to determine a motive for the violence, they disclosed finding a rifle in his residence.
The tragic event prompted a nationwide moment of silence, with Swedes showing solidarity by halting work activities. In Orebro, a large crowd gathered in the central square to pay tribute to the deceased and injured. The community expressed disbelief, with one resident articulating, "You don't think something like this could happen."
Although authorities have not established a definitive motive for the attack, concerns about racism have arisen, particularly among immigrants in Orebro. The incident, which claimed the lives of individuals from various countries, including Syria, Somalia, and Bosnia, has evoked fear and uncertainty, leaving many questioning the rationale behind such senseless violence.