Sweden is reeling from its worst mass shooting after an armed attacker opened fire at Campus Risbergska, an adult education center in Örebro, on Tuesday, killing at least 11 people, including himself. Authorities have yet to determine a motive, and officials warned the death toll could rise as several victims remain in critical condition.

The gunman, whose identity has not been officially released, was found dead when police arrived at the scene. "There is a lot to indicate that the suspect took his own life," Örebro police chief Roberto Eid Forest said at a press conference Wednesday. Officials confirmed he acted alone and had no prior criminal record or known ties to extremist groups.

The attack began at 12:33 p.m. local time (11:33 GMT), with gunfire erupting inside the school, sending students and staff into a state of panic. Maria Pegado, a 54-year-old teacher, described the moment she fled the building with her class. "I took all my 15 students out into the hallway and we started running. Then I heard two shots but we made it out," she told Reuters. "I saw people dragging injured out, first one, then another. I realized it was very serious."

Gunman Had a Hunting License, No Known Terror Links

While Swedish media identified the suspect as a 35-year-old man with a hunting license, authorities have not confirmed his name. Sveriges Television (SVT) reported that the gunman was a recluse who had withdrawn from family and friends in recent years. The firearm used was a hunting weapon, but police have not disclosed whether he was carrying multiple weapons.

Investigators searched his home on Tuesday night but have not released details of what they found. They cautioned the public against spreading misinformation online, emphasizing that no evidence has surfaced linking the attack to terrorism.

Victims and Survivors Grapple with the Tragedy

Officials confirmed six people were taken to Örebro University Hospital, including five with gunshot wounds. Two remain in intensive care. Authorities have not yet released the identities of those killed, pending notification of their families.

Survivors described chaotic and terrifying moments inside the school as gunfire echoed through hallways. Hellen Werme, 35, told Expressen that she feared for her life as she hid during the attack. "Those were the worst hours of my life. I did not know if I would get shot there and then, or in 10 minutes. You simply waited."

National Mourning and International Condemnation

Flags across Sweden's government buildings and royal palaces were lowered to half-staff on Wednesday as the country observed a day of mourning. King Carl XVI Gustaf released a statement expressing "sadness and dismay", while Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson called it "a very painful day for all of Sweden."

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the violence, posting on X, "Such violence and terror have no place in our societies-least of all in schools. In this dark hour, we stand with the people of Sweden."

Rare but Rising Gun Violence in Sweden

While mass shootings are rare in Sweden, the country has seen an increase in gun-related crimes in recent years, primarily linked to gang violence. Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer said Tuesday's shooting "shakes our entire society to its core."

According to police data, Sweden recorded 296 shootings in 2024, resulting in 44 deaths and 66 injuries. The deadliest year on record was 2022, when 391 shootings left 62 dead and 107 wounded.

However, school attacks remain uncommon. Before this incident, the deadliest school-related violence occurred in 2015, when a man with far-right sympathies stabbed a teacher and student to death at a school in Trollhättan.

Investigation Ongoing as Authorities Search for Answers

Authorities are continuing to review surveillance footage and interview witnesses to piece together the timeline of the attack. They have urged the public to avoid speculation as the investigation progresses.

Prime Minister Kristersson vowed that Sweden would "learn from this tragedy", promising a full review of gun laws, security measures, and emergency response protocols in educational institutions. "Many questions remain unanswered," he said. "But the time will come when we will know what happened, how it could occur, and what motives may have been behind it."