Ten killed in Sweden’s ‘worst mass shooting’
Ten people including the gunman are believed to be among those killed in attack at school for adults in Sweden.
About 10 people have been killed in a horror shooting at an adult education centre in Sweden, in the country’s deadliest attack.
The gunman is believed to be among those killed, while a search continues at the school for more possible victims.
The perpetrator’s motive was not immediately known.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said it was a “painful day” for the country.
“My thoughts are [also] with all of those whose normal school day was turned into fear,” he said.
“Being locked up in a classroom fearing for your life is a nightmare no one should have to experience.”
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Local police chief Roberto Eid Forest said the death toll was still being determined as the crime scene was investigated.
“We know that 10 or so people have been killed here today. The reason that we can’t be more exact currently is that the extent of the incident is so large.”
A massive crime scene investigation underway at the school campus. Image: AAP
Forest said police believed the gunman had acted alone and that they did not suspect terrorism as a motive. He said the suspected gunman had not previously been known to police.
“We have a big crime scene, we have to complete the searches we are conducting in the school,” he said.
Police said they had opened an investigation into murder, arson and an aggravated weapons offence.
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The shooting happened in Orebro, 200 kilometres west of Stockholm. The Risbergska school is for adults who did not complete their formal education or failed to get the marks to continue to higher education.
It is on a campus that also houses schools for children.
‘Get out’
One of the school’s teachers, 54-year-old Maria Pegado, 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.
Forensics teams gather evidence after the deadly attack. Image: AAP
Police said students had been kept indoors at the school that was targeted and at other schools nearby for their safety.
Police later began helping those who had taken shelter to leave.
Sweden has struggled with a wave of shootings and bombings caused by an endemic gang crime problem. However, fatal attacks at schools are rare.
– with AAP
