Swedish police discovered several licensed rifles at the site of a mass shooting in Örebro, where the deadliest attack in the country occurred this week. The attacker killed 11 people and wounded several others at an adult education center.
A police spokesperson said on Thursday that the rifles were found at the school, where authorities believe the perpetrator used them during the attack. These rifles are licensed weapons and appear to be linked to the suspect. According to Reuters, the suspect was identified as Rickard Andersson, a 35-year-old unemployed man who lived a reclusive lifestyle.
Sweden has a high rate of gun ownership by European standards, mainly for hunting, although it is still much lower than in the United States. In recent years, the number of gun-related crimes tied to criminal gangs has been rising, highlighting the prevalence of illegal firearms.
The police have not yet disclosed the suspect’s name, and the number of victims remains unknown two days after the attack. The school where the incident took place offers courses for adults and classes for immigrants wishing to learn Swedish.
Despite the surge in violence in the country, Sweden was shocked by the brutality of this crime. Survivors reported that they barricaded themselves in classrooms and hid to escape the attacker, and later, when they were freed, they saw pools of blood at the scene of the tragedy. The police continue to identify the victims.
