Sweden Mourns After Worst Mass Shooting in History: Witnesses Describe Scenes of Chaos and Bloodshed
"There was blood everywhere," recalled 16-year-old Linn, speaking to reporters at the scene of what Sweden's Prime Minister has called the deadliest mass shooting in the nation's history.
The tragic incident unfolded on Tuesday at an adult education center in the city of Örebro, claiming the lives of eleven people, including the suspected gunman. Police have not yet confirmed the total number of injured, as the situation remains fluid.
Linn, a student at a nearby school, described the horrifying aftermath to AFP: "It was chaos. People were panicking and crying."
Authorities are still investigating the motive behind the attack, though police stated that "everything indicates" it was not ideologically driven.
A Nation in Shock
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson expressed deep sorrow, saying it was difficult to comprehend the scale of the tragedy. As a mark of respect, flags across government buildings, the parliament, and royal palaces will be flown at half-mast on Wednesday.
At the nearby Risbergska School, student Marwa recounted the terrifying moments when she and others rushed to assist the wounded. "A guy next to me was shot in the shoulder. He was bleeding a lot. When I looked behind me, I saw three people on the floor bleeding," she told TV4 Sweden.
Marwa and a friend attempted to stop the bleeding by wrapping a shawl around the injured man's shoulder. "Everyone was so shocked," she said.
Moments of Terror
Teacher Lena Warenmark, who was in her study during the attack, told Swedish public radio she heard around 10 gunshots—several in quick succession, followed by a pause, then more shots. She remained locked in her study for over an hour as the situation unfolded.
Police received reports of the shooting at 12:33 local time (11:33 GMT). The adult education center is part of a larger campus that houses multiple schools, primarily serving individuals who have not completed primary or secondary education.
Fear and Uncertainty
Hellen Werme, another student at Risbergska School, described the harrowing experience of being caught in the middle of the attack. "Our teacher shouted at us to close the doors and lie down on the floor," she told SVT, Sweden's public broadcaster.
Reflecting on the terrifying wait, Werme shared her deepest fear: whether she would make it home to her children.
As Sweden grapples with the shock of this unprecedented tragedy, authorities continue to investigate, while families and communities mourn the lives lost.
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