Masked suspect reported to have fled on electric scooter after killings at hair salon in Swedish university city Three people were killed in a shooting in the Swedish city of Uppsala on Tuesday, police said. A large area was cordoned off in the centre of Uppsala, a university city 45 miles north of Stockholm, after witnesses described hearing multiple shots at about 5pm local time and seeing people running in different directions and hiding. A masked person was seen fleeing the crime scene on an electric scooter and a police hunt was under way, said police, who appealed to the public for information. “Quite soon we encountered three people who appeared to have been shot. They did not need to be taken to hospital,” Magnus Jansson Klarin, a spokesperson for Uppsala police, told Svenska Dagbladet. “We cannot answer whether there is one or more perpetrators at this time,” he added. The minister of justice, Gunnar Strömmer, condemned the “brutal act of violence” and said his department was in close contact with police and was closely monitoring developments. The deadly incident came as the city prepared to celebrate Valborg – a Swedish bonfire festival marking the arrival of spring – on Wednesday, with an event to be attended by thousands of people. Strömmer said: “A brutal act of violence has occurred in central Uppsala. The police have confirmed that three people have lost their lives. “This at the same time as the whole of Uppsala has begun the Valborg weekend. What has happened is extraordinarily serious.” Trains coming in and out of the city were temporarily stopped between about 5.30pm and 6pm local time. A large police operation was under way near Vaksala Square. TV4 News reported that the incident had taken place inside a hair salon. Police said they were first alerted to the incident shortly after 5pm when they received several calls from members of the public about loud bangs. Several people were found with suspected gunshot wounds and police cordoned off a large area while they investigated. At 7.25pm, police confirmed that three people were dead after the shooting and that relatives were yet to be notified. “Police are investigating the incident as murder,” the force said in an update. Later a spokesperson said the crime had been declared a special incident. Notifications can be managed in browser preferences. Swedish police launch investigation into ‘brutal act of violence’ in Uppsala near Stockholm I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Three people have been shot dead in a “brutal act of violence” in Sweden. Swedish police said a murder investigation has been launched after the deadly shooting in Uppsala on Tuesday, with photos of the scene showing officers outside a barber shop called “Shalom”. The force said they had cordoned off a large area in the city, which is near the country’s capital Stockholm, and that they had no information about the incident being a terror or hate crime at this point. Police said in a statement that they had received calls from members of the public who reported hearing loud bangs reminiscent of gunfire in central Uppsala, and that emergency services had rushed to the scene. Witnesses told broadcaster SVT they had heard five shots and had seen people in the area at Vaksala Square running to take cover. Police said the victims were yet to be identified and declined to speculate on the motive for the killings. “We have information that a person left the scene on an electric scooter,” a police spokesperson told Reuters. “Whether this person is a perpetrator or a witness, or someone who has some connection to the incident, it is unclear at this time.” The motive of the shooting was unclear as of yet, with police investigating it as a homicide. Swedish police said a masked gunman carried out the shooting that killed three people. According to media reports, the assailant escaped after shooting on a scooter. Police said it was an “isolated incident” and that there was “no danger to the public”. Electric scooters have been used several times as a mode of escape after gang conflict shootings in Sweden. Uppsala, some 40 minutes north of the capital, Stockholm, by car, has seen many gang-related shootings in the past decade, but usually outside the city centre. The attack happened the evening before the Walpurgis spring festival was set to get underway in Uppsala, which is known for its university. The traditional festival marking the arrival of spring is a major public event and draws large crowds to the city’s streets, with a number of activities put on in celebration. Swedish justice minister Gunnar Strommer said the justice ministry was in close contact with the police and that it was closely monitoring developments in the case. "A brutal act of violence has occurred in central Uppsala ... This is at the same time as the whole of Uppsala has begun Walpurgis Night. What has happened is extremely serious," Mr Strommer said in a statement. “Everything happened so fast. It just went bang, bang, bang,” an eyewitness told Swedish channel TV4. Another man recounted that he had been cooking at home when he heard “two bangs that sounded a bit like fireworks” coming from the street outside. Speaking to Swedish television, he said he was “very surprised and scared”, and that shortly afterwards, “swarms of police and ambulances” began cordoning off the street and instructing people to move back. Train services in the area were temporarily halted to prevent the perpetrator from escaping, police spokesperson Magnus Jansson Klarin said, but they have since resumed. Police officers have also been conducting door-to-door enquiries to gather more information. Sweden has suffered from a wave of gang-related violence for more than a decade that has included an epidemic of gun violence. In 2023, there were 363 shootings that resulted in 53 fatalities. Sweden, according to a Reuters report last year, has, by far, the highest per capita rate of gun violence in the EU. Ten people were killed in February in the Swedish city of Orebro in the country's deadliest ever mass shooting, in which a 35-year-old unemployed loner opened fire on students and teachers at an adult education centre. The Nordic country's right-wing minority government came to power in 2022 on a promise to tackle gang-related violence. It has tightened laws and given more powers to police, and after the Orebro shooting, said it would seek to tighten gun laws. govt and politics"},{"score":0.860634,"label":"/society/crime/personal offense/homicide"},{"score":0.773866,"label":"/law govt and politics/law enforcement"},{"score":0.661666,"label":"/society/crime/personal offense/assault"},{"score":0.590861,"label":"/law Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker Swedish police said that at least three people are confirmed dead after a shooting Tuesday in Uppsala and are investigating the incident as a murder Police at the scene after a shooting incident A police vehicle at the scene after a shooting incident Swedish media reported that a manhunt is underway for the perpetrator who reportedly fled the scene on an electric scooter Police said in a statement that they had received calls from members of the public who reported hearing loud bangs reminiscent of gunfire in central Uppsala a university city located north of Stockholm Photos of the scene showed police outside of a barber shop called “Shalom.” A large area was cordoned off by police as they launched an investigation There was no immediate indication of motive and the police statement did not provide details about a suspected perpetrator Teenager held on suspicion of murder after attack at hair salon in university city A 16-year-old has been detained on suspicion of shooting and killing three people in the city of Uppsala, according to Sweden’s prosecution authority. “An intensive investigation is under way. We are now gathering information and the police are conducting door-to-door inquiries and interviewing witnesses,” the authority said in a statement. In addition, mobile phones and other material that have been seized are being analysed.” Police had earlier confirmed in a press conference that a detained person was suspected of murder and was one of several people being interrogated as part of the investigation, although they did not provide an age. They did, however, confirm that the victims were aged between 15 and 20. The shooting took place at a hair salon in Uppsala, a university city 42 miles north of Stockholm, on Tuesday. Police said the attack was believed to be an isolated event and not linked to the annual Valborg celebrations expected in the city on Wednesday evening. Valborg is a Swedish bonfire festival marking the arrival of spring. Swedish media reported that one of the deceased had connections to organised gang crime. Police would not confirm those reports but said gang-related crime was one of the theories they were pursuing “particularly intensively”. Authorities in Sweden have been struggling to deal with gang violence, which remains at the forefront of a national debate, including growing concerns over the young age of children being caught up in the bloodshed. Guns and explosives are regularly used by rival gangs. Police have appealed to the public for information after a masked person was seen fleeing the crime scene on an electric scooter on Tuesday. condemned the killings as a “brutal act of violence” Police were first alerted to the incident shortly after 5pm on Tuesday when they received several phone calls from members of the public about loud bangs Officials later confirmed that three people were dead “Quite soon we encountered three people who appeared to have been shot They did not need to be taken to hospital,” Magnus Jansson Klarin told the Svenska Dagbladet daily newspaper The Swedish government announced in February that it planned to strengthen its weapons laws after the country’s worst mass shooting, when a gunman killed 10 people at an education centre in Örebro The man’s motives are still under investigation Reuters and Agence France-Presse contributed to this report your new go-to podcast to spice up your weekday mornings with relevant news and behind-the-scenes from Brussels and beyond From the economy to the climate and the EU's role in world affairs this talk show sheds light on European affairs and the issues that impact on our daily lives as Europeans Tune in to understand the ins and outs of European politics Dare to imagine the future with business and tech visionaries Deep dive conversations with business leaders Euronews Tech Talks goes beyond discussions to explore the impact of new technologies on our lives the podcast provides valuable insights into the intersection of technology and society Europe's water is under increasing pressure floods are taking their toll on our drinking water Join us on a journey around Europe to see why protecting ecosystems matters and to discover some of the best water solutions an animated explainer series and live debate - find out why Water Matters We give you the latest climate facts from the world’s leading source analyse the trends and explain how our planet is changing We meet the experts on the front line of climate change who explore new strategies to mitigate and adapt Police in Sweden have arrested a teenager in connection with a shooting in the eastern city of Uppsala on Tuesday The person under arrest is under the age of 18 and officers are investigating the possibility of links to gang crime The three victims were aged between 15 and 20 but Uppsala police chief Erik Åkerlund said their identities have not been confirmed "100%" yet Police said on Tuesday that they had received calls from members of the public who reported hearing loud bangs reminiscent of gunfire in central Uppsala a university city located north of the capital Stockholm Photos of the scene showed police outside a barber shop called "Shalom" "A total of three people were found shot and deceased inside the hair salon," Åkerlund told reporters following the attack Local resident Nina said she felt "uncomfortable" because the attack happened in a residential neighbourhood next door to where she lives "I picked up my partner just before we drove past here We live next door and I think there are children and young people in these areas Sweden has grappled with gang violence for years which has resulted in frequent shootings and bomb attacks You don't have permission to access the page you requested What is this page?The website you are visiting is protected.For security reasons this page cannot be displayed A teenager has been arrested on suspicion of involvement in a triple shooting at a Swedish hair salon that left three young people dead is being held on probable cause on suspicion of murder police were alerted around 5 pm local time (1500GMT) to a shooting near Vaksala Square "A total of three people were found shot and deceased inside the hair salon," Akerlund told reporters following the attack authorities launched a special operation and conducted a large number of witness interviews One of the victims had previously been linked to an investigation concerning an attack targeting a relative of Ismail Abdo investigators have not confirmed any direct connection to gang-related violence Akerlund said that while police cannot confirm a clear link to ongoing gang conflicts that possibility is being investigated "particularly intensively." 11 people were killed in a shooting in Orebro – a city 200 kilometers (124 miles) west of the capital Stockholm – targeting an adult education center Swedish police say three people were confirmed dead after a shooting attack took place on Tuesday in Uppsala Swedish media reported that a manhunt to locate the perpetrator is ongoing Eyewitnesses say the gunman reportedly fled the scene of the attack on an electric scooter Photos of the scene showed police outside a barber shop called “Shalom” Local resident Nina said she felt "uncomfortable" because the attack happened in a residential neighbourhood right next door to where she lives I picked up my partner just before we drove past here which has resulted in frequent shootings and bombing attacks Gabe Whisnant is a Breaking News Editor at Newsweek based in North Carolina he directed daily publications in North and South Carolina Gabe led award-winning coverage of Charleston church shooter Dylan Roof's capture in 2015 along with coverage of the Alex Murdaugh double murder trial He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina-Wilmington You can get in touch with Gabe by emailing g.whisnant@newsweek.com either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content Three people were killed in a shooting in the Swedish city of Uppsala on Tuesday prompting police to launch a murder investigation Authorities are searching for a suspected gunman "Three people are confirmed dead after a shooting.. The police are investigating the incident as a homicide," investigators said in a statement "We have information that a person left the scene on an electric scooter," a police spokesperson told Reuters "Whether this person is a perpetrator or a witness or someone who has some connection to the incident The shooting happened near Vaksala Square in the city's center Witnesses told broadcaster SVT they heard five gunshots and saw people in the area running for cover Authorities have cordoned off a large section of the northeastern Swedish city located approximately 40 minutes north of Stockholm and residents are urged to avoid Vaksala Square The shooting occurred just before the start of the Walpurgis festival a spring celebration that typically draws large crowds Swedish Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer said the Justice Ministry is maintaining close communication with police and is closely monitoring developments in the case "A brutal act of violence has occurred in central Uppsala .. This is at the same time as the whole of Uppsala has begun Walpurgis Night What has happened is extremely serious," Strommer said in a statement In February, Sweden experienced its deadliest mass shooting when a 35-year-old unemployed man opened fire at an adult education center in the city of Örebro The country has struggled with a wave of gang-related violence for more than a decade which took power in 2022 pledging to crack down on gang violence vowed to further strengthen gun regulations Electric scooters have been used several times as a mode of escape after gang conflict shootings in Sweden Walpurgis Night — or Walpurgis Spring Festival — is a traditional celebration held on the night of April 30th into May 1st across parts of Northern and Central Europe The festival marks the arrival of spring and is rooted in a mix of pre-Christian and Christian traditions The name "Walpurgis" comes from Saint Walpurga an 8th-century English missionary who was canonized on May 1st the date became associated with warding off evil spirits and celebrating the end of winter Walpurgis Night (Valborgsmässoafton) is a major cultural event choirs singing traditional songs and fireworks University towns like Uppsala and Lund are especially famous for their lively celebrations Sweden has some of the stricter gun laws in Europe tightly regulating firearm ownership through a system of licensing demonstrate a need for the firearm—such as for hunting or sport shooting—and complete approved safety training Handguns are more heavily restricted than rifles and shotguns and automatic weapons are generally prohibited for private citizens Mass shootings in Sweden are rare compared to other countries gun violence linked to organized crime has become a growing concern While Sweden has not experienced mass shootings on the scale seen in the U.S. incidents involving multiple victims—often in public spaces like shopping centers or residential areas—have become more frequent These shootings typically stem from gang conflicts rather than lone-wolf attacks ET: This article has been updated with additional information ET: This headline and article have been updated to indicate a reported death toll of three people along with additional information and remarks ET: This article has been updated with additional information and remarks Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground Newsweek is committed to journalism that's factual and fair Hold us accountable and submit your rating of this article on the meter. Newsletters in your inbox See all This is Radio Schuman, your new go-to podcast to spice up your weekday mornings with relevant news, insights, and behind-the-scenes from Brussels and beyond. From the economy to the climate and the EU's role in world affairs, this talk show sheds light on European affairs and the issues that impact on our daily lives as Europeans. Tune in to understand the ins and outs of European politics. No agenda, no argument, no bias, No Comment. Get the story without commentary. Euronews Tech Talks goes beyond discussions to explore the impact of new technologies on our lives. With explanations, engaging Q&As, and lively conversations, the podcast provides valuable insights into the intersection of technology and society. Europe's water is under increasing pressure. Pollution, droughts, floods are taking their toll on our drinking water, lakes, rivers and coastlines. Join us on a journey around Europe to see why protecting ecosystems matters, how our wastewater can be better managed, and to discover some of the best water solutions. Video reports, an animated explainer series and live debate - find out why Water Matters, from Euronews. We give you the latest climate facts from the world’s leading source, analyse the trends and explain how our planet is changing. We meet the experts on the front line of climate change who explore new strategies to mitigate and adapt. Swedish police say three people were confirmed dead after a shooting attack took place on Tuesday in Uppsala, a city near the capital Stockholm, and are investigating the incident as a murder. Swedish media reported that a manhunt to locate the perpetrator is ongoing. Eyewitnesses say the gunman reportedly fled the scene of the attack on an electric scooter. Police said in a statement that they had received calls from members of the public who reported hearing loud bangs reminiscent of gunfire in central Uppsala, a university city located north of Stockholm, the capital. Photos of the scene showed police outside a barber shop called “Shalom”. A large area was cordoned off by police as they launched an investigation. Local resident Nina said she felt "uncomfortable" because the attack happened in a residential neighbourhood right next door to where she lives, in an area where children frequently play. "I find it uncomfortable, because I mean especially when, you know, we drive past this one. I picked up my partner just before we drove past here. We live next door and I think there are children and young people in these areas. I find it very uncomfortable,” said Nina. There was no immediate indication of motive, and the police statement did not provide details about a suspected perpetrator. Sweden has grappled with gang violence for years, which has resulted in frequent shootings and bombing attacks. You don't have permission to access the page you requested. What is this page?The website you are visiting is protected.For security reasons this page cannot be displayed. HELSINKI FINLAND Police officers cordon off the scene after several people were killed in a shooting at Vaksala Square in central Uppsala (Photo: Fredrik Sandberg / AFP / Sweden OUT / Lehtikuva Three people were killed in a shooting in central Uppsala on Tuesday evening Authorities received several reports of gunfire around 17:00 local time Police launched a major operation and cordoned off a wide section of the city centre Officers with drones and dog units searched the area A spokesperson for Uppsala police, Maria Hall, said that the victims had not yet been identified and that their families had not been notified. “We will not release more information at this time,” Hall told SVT Early reports suggest the suspected shooter may have fled on an electric scooter with people running and hiding after hearing several shots People started running in different directions,” a witness told SVT Police have not released any details about the suspect’s identity or possible motives Investigators said they were treating the case as murder Swedish broadcaster SVT reported that one of the victims was linked to an ongoing investigation into a planned attack targeting a relative of gang leader Ismail Abdo The Swedish Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer described the shooting as a “brutal act of violence” and said his ministry was closely monitoring the case “This is extremely serious,” Strömmer told local media Train services in Uppsala were briefly suspended during the police response but authorities said there was no immediate threat to the public and police are urging anyone with information to come forward Advertisement inquiries and other after-sales issues: info@helsinkitimes.fi Helsinki Times is the first and only English language newspaper providing news about Finland in English A weekly print edition of Helsinki Times was published from March 2007 up until Feb Helsinki Times is an online-only publication and other groups and individuals interested in Finland from all around the world © Helsinki Times All rights reserved.  Terms of Use | Privacy Policy has been detained on strong suspicion of involvement in Tuesday evening's deadly shooting in the central Swedish city of Uppsala regional police announced at a press conference on Wednesday The shooting took place inside a hair salon near Vaksala Market in downtown Uppsala and the victims were reported to be between 15 and 20 years old Police confirmed that the incident is being investigated as a triple homicide The attack occurred in a public setting with numerous witnesses as crowds had gathered in the area ahead of the First of May celebrations Swedish media outlets have suggested that the attack may be gang-related While police acknowledged a potential connection to ongoing gang conflicts "We are continuing to search for others who may be connected to the crime," a police spokesperson said "There are several individuals of interest whom we are actively working with." Authorities have not commented on whether the victims were specifically targeted they are taking steps to prevent further violence or retaliatory actions in the wake of the shooting Swedish Minister for Justice Gunnar Strommer condemned the attack describing it as "a brutal act of violence." Uppsala City Director Birgitta Pettersson told media that police described the shooting as "an isolated incident." As a result Police have increased their presence throughout the city about 70 km north of the capital Stockholm HELSINKI -- Three individuals were killed in a shooting in the central Swedish town of Uppsala on Tuesday Police confirmed at 7:25 pm (1725 GMT) on their website that the incident is being investigated as a murder The shooting occurred near the Vaksala market area in downtown Uppsala and railroad services from Uppsala were temporarily suspended but later resumed Swedish Minister for Justice Gunnar Strommer described the incident as "a brutal act of violence." as large crowds had gathered in the town in preparation for the First of May celebrations police told Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter (DN) "We are trying to get a grasp of what has happened This is a serious event and we are working with full force," a police spokesman said Some witnesses told DN that the shooting took place inside a hairdressing salon adding that they saw a person escape on an electric bicycle Violent crime has increased in Sweden in recent years Police statistics show that between January and March this year there were 50 separate shooting incidents across the country The TimesSwedish police have arrested a 16-year-old after three people aged between 15 and 20 were killed in a shooting at a hair salon amid rising concern over gang violence in the Scandinavian nation Tuesday’s shooting took place in daylight a day before the Walpurgis spring festival said: “One person has been arrested suspected of murder.” Swedish media reported that at least one of the dead had connections to a criminal gang although police would not confirm those reports “That is something we are obviously looking into but we don’t want to commit ourselves to only Registered in England No. 894646. Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, SE1 9GF. The victims who have yet to be identified are aged between 15 and 20 years old Swedish police arrested a 16-year-old on suspicion of murder following a shooting in which three people were killed called “Shalom” located near Vaksala Square in the centre of the city of Uppsala The victims have not yet been publicly identified but it has been confirmed that they were between the ages of 15 and 20 years-old The suspect was arrested on Tuesday and is one of several people being interrogated as part of the investigation police told reporters at a press conference on Wednesday said that police were in contact with people believed to be related to the victims Police believe there is no connection between the shooting and the hair salon itself Swedish state prosecutor Andreas Nyberg, who is leading the investigation, confirmed in a press release to DN that “intensive investigative work is underway.” “We are now gathering information, and the police are conducting door-to-door inquiries and interviewing witnesses. In addition, mobile phones and other material that have been seized are being analysed,” the statement said. The force said they had cordoned off a large area in the city, which is near the country’s capital, Stockholm, and that they had no information about the incident being a terror or hate crime at this point. Witnesses told DN they heard between eight and ten loud bangs before spotting a person with their hoodie up and a face mask fleeing the scene on an electric scooter. The motive of the shooting was unclear as of yet, with police investigating it as a homicide. “Everything happened so fast. It just went bang, bang, bang,” an eyewitness told Swedish channel TV4. Police said the incident was believed to be "an isolated event" and not linked to the extensive Walpurgis night celebrations expected in Uppsala on Wednesday. The traditional festival marking the arrival of spring is a major public event and draws large crowds to the city’s streets, with a number of activities put on in celebration. Around 100,000 people are expected to travel to the city for the celebrations. govt and politics"},{"score":0.808577,"label":"/law govt and politics/law enforcement"},{"score":0.713938,"label":"/law but I have heard the stories: How the World Council of Churches Assembly in Uppsala Sweden changed the world church agenda and put focus on social justice and equality To show the reality and embrace of the Incarnation Participants of a prayer service at Uppsala Cathedral during the Ecumenical Weekend light candles on the sculpture originally made for the WCC Assembly in 1968 Photo: Mikael Stjernberg/Christian Council of Sweden but I have heard the stories: How the World Council of Churches (WCC) Assembly in Uppsala My parents met in the ecumenical movement in the mid-60s; my father was a United Methodist and my mother came from the Mission Covenant Church in Sweden Ecumenism was at our kitchen table and my parents taught me that it is more important to attend the nearest church where you could meet your everyday friends than the particular label or tradition that church may have My father passed away before the Uniting Church in Sweden was formed in 2011 This church is old and yet new at the same time as it was formed from the United Methodist Church in Sweden the Baptist Union and the Mission Covenant Church These old Swedish churches had been part of the grass root movement for more than 100 years but took on a new form together to meet the new and renewed challenges for the world Our vision reads; The Uniting Church is a church for the fullness of Life where the encounter with Jesus Christ transforms – me then my neighbor and eventually the whole world - all through Jesus Christ And I think that is where my parents started their pilgrimage They commit themselves to say “no” to fear of the unknown and “yes” to willingly being transformed to be able to see the world through the eyes and work of Christ Neither of them were involved in the ecumenical movement in an official way they did not travel all around the world and they did not know very many famous people But they were loyal to the call from Uppsala 1968 To follow the Lord who said: “Behold I am making something new.” Their ecumenical movement and pilgrimage was practical and deeply rooted in the history and the diaconal call all around I am thankful for my personal legacy but the future of the ecumenical movement starts here and now equality and freedom as we join in and still follow the call from Uppsala 1968 In the Uniting Church in Sweden we are currently preparing for a climate fast during Lent 2019, we are working and planning on how to follow up on the #metoo call within our Swedish churches from last year, connecting it to the Thursdays in Black Campaign and other things we encourage one another - just like my parents – to be transformed by Jesus and to continue the pilgrimage together Gunilla Ikponmwosa is working in the International Unit of the Uniting Church in Sweden as the coordinator for Middle East and North Africa relations She is also the liaison officer for the World Council of Churches within her church The Uniting Church in Sweden is supporting the EHAIA and EAPPI initiatives together with the work within the Climate Justice group - and more The impressions expressed in the blog posts are the contributions of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or policies of the World Council of Churches Please fill in this form if you would like to receive news and updates from the WCC by email Ecumenical CentreKyoto BuildingChemin du Pommier 42CH-1218 Le Grand-Saconnex Swedish police have arrested a teenager in connection with a deadly triple shooting at a hair salon in Uppsala on Tuesday who reportedly fled the scene on a scooter Authorities confirmed on Wednesday that the suspect is under 18 years old although Swedish police have not yet fully confirmed their identities with a particular focus on whether the attack is linked to gang-related violence One of the victims is known to law enforcement having previously been involved in an investigation concerning a planned assault on a relative of notorious gang leader Ismail Abdo who is often referred to as ‘jordgubben’ or ‘the strawberry,’ is a prominent figure in Sweden’s criminal underworld The murder at the hair salon is believed to be connected to a new chapter in the violent gang wars gripping Sweden The conflict escalated last year following the murder of Abdo’s mother in Uppsala a crime that marked a significant turning point in the ongoing violence Sweden has seen an alarming rise in gang-related crimes with a proposal to introduce legislation that would allow police to wiretap children as young as 15 Minister of Justice Gunnar Strömmer has acknowledged that the measures would be a significant breach of privacy but argued they are necessary to combat the recruitment of children as young as 10 and 11 into gang activities the government is considering tighter gun laws in an effort to curb the violence that has overwhelmed parts of the country The shooting occurred just days before the Walpurgis spring festival when Uppsala—a vibrant university town north of Stockholm—is typically filled with students celebrating with champagne breakfasts A large bonfire is also planned for Wednesday evening local police chief Åsa Larsson urged those planning to attend the Valborg celebrations not to alter their plans she encouraged visitors to remain vigilant and report anything suspicious to the authorities A heavy police presence is expected in Uppsala over the coming days but Larsson cautioned that “there are no guarantees” against further incidents of violence Eyewitnesses described the terrifying moments following the shooting recounted hearing rapid gunshots: “Everything happened so fast said he heard what he initially thought were fireworks “I was very surprised and scared,” he said recalling the swarm of police and ambulances that soon arrived to cordon off the area authorities are determined to uncover the full scope of the attack and its possible connections to the country’s deepening gang violence Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id" "ae7e825e3b26aa5582e75b726d13d11d" );document.getElementById("h8175b9177").setAttribute( "id" UPPSALA: Three people were killed in a shooting in the Swedish city of Uppsala on Tuesday and a murder investigation has been launched Police said it was investigating the shooting as a homicide and that it had no information about the incident being a terror or hate crime at this point “We have information that a person left the scene on an electric scooter,” a police spokesperson told Reuters “Whether this person is a perpetrator or a witness Police said the victims were yet to be identified and declined to speculate on the motive for the killings has seen many gang-related shootings in the past decade Swedish Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer said the Justice Ministry was in close contact with the police and that it was closely monitoring developments in the case “A brutal act of violence has occurred in central Uppsala … This is at the same time as the whole of Uppsala has begun Walpurgis Night What has happened is extremely serious,” Strömmer said in a statement Police said earlier they had received calls from members of the public who heard gunshots in the city centre and that emergency services had rushed to the scene “Three people are confirmed dead after a shooting … The police are investigating the incident as a homicide,” investigators said in a statement Witnesses told SVT they had heard five shots and had seen people in the area running to take cover reported that the shooting took place near or in a hair salon Ten people were killed in February in the Swedish city of Örebro in the country’s deadliest ever mass shooting in which a 35-year-old unemployed loner opened fire on students and teachers at an adult education centre Sweden has suffered from a wave of gang-related violence for more than a decade that has included an epidemic of gun violence The Nordic country’s right-wing minority government came to power in 2022 on a promise to tackle gang-related violence It has tightened laws and given more powers to police and after the Örebro shooting said it would seek to tighten gun laws You will also start receiving the Star's free morning newsletter STOCKHOLM (AP) — Swedish police said that three people are confirmed dead after a shooting Tuesday in Uppsala Sweden has grappled with gang violence for years, with frequent shootings and bombings Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account The Local Europe ABVästmannagatan 43113 25 StockholmSweden with one of the victims reportedly suspected of involvement in a plot to murder a relative of gang leader Ismail Abdo Witnesses said the shooter arrived on an electric scooter and opened fire at a hair salon The Swedish prosecutor's office announced on Wednesday morning that the 16-year-old was being held for "probable cause" (sannolika skäl) of murder, the second highest out of four levels of suspicion "Intensive investigative work is underway. We are now gathering information and the police are conducting door-to-door inquiries and interviewing witnesses. In addition, mobile phones and other material that has been seized are being analyzed," State Prosecutor Andreas Nyberg, who is leading the preliminary investigation, said in the statement At a press conference held at 9.30am on Wednesday said the person arrested was one of several who had been taken in for questioning over Tuesday night several people who are of interest to the investigation gave been taken in to the police station in Uppsala and currently one person is being held on probably cause of murder," he said "But we are continuing to follow up several trails and expect to bring in further people."  had still not been confirmed "100 percent" and their families had not yet been notified although he said that people had contacted the police saying they believed a relative was one of the victims Police cordoned off a wide area around the square and temporarily halted both road and rail traffic Train services and traffic have since resumed A police helicopter has been deployed to assist in the search The attack occurred the day before Valborg the largest student celebration of the year in Uppsala Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer said that his ministry was in close contact with the police "A brutal act of violence has occurred in central Uppsala," he said "This at the same time as the whole of Uppsala has begun the Valborg weekend What has happened is extraordinarily serious." Sweden's public broadcaster SVT reported on Wednesday morning that one of the victims had been named in the investigation into the planned murder of a relative of the gang leader Ismail Abdo the former right-hand man of gang leader Rawa Majid at the end of 2022 entered a gang conflict against his former boss leading to a spate of murders throughout 2023 that saw relatives and loved ones targeted Åkelund said that police had decided not to give out any information about the victims as this might impact the ongoing investigation "It's too early to talk about that," he said "We have an idea of who the victims are and are keeping that in mind as we assess the risk of revenge attacks or further violence in this conflict environment but it's too early to talk of the victims."  has in recent years also become known as the home town of Majid and one of the centres of the conflict "There's a lot to suggest that what has happened is yet another confrontation between criminal gangs: the cold-bloodedness, the efficiency, the whole way this has happened bears the mark of a professional killer," wrote Oisín Cantwell, Aftonbladet's legal commentator The killing came a week after two more suspected gang killing took place in the city Sweden has struggled in recent years to rein in shootings and bombings linked to score-settling between rival criminal gangs Perpetrators are often young teens who are hired as contract killers because they are under 15 the age of criminal responsibility in Sweden Swedish police said in January that the number of shootings had declined in 2024 for the second year in a row with 296 shootings -- a decrease of 20 percent compared with the year before The number of fatal shootings also fell in 2024 for the second year running, with 45 dead This has led to hopes that the wave of gang shootings the country has suffered for a decade may have peaked One witness told Upsala Nya Tidning they heard nine shots Another told Aftonbladet they heard five or six "I saw him come around a corner and then it all started going off," one eyewitness told Aftonbladet "I ran straight to the concert hall for cover Please log in here to leave a comment This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Police spokesperson Magnus Jansson Klarin told local media they "received several calls about loud bangs that resemble gunshots" "Several people have been found with injuries consistent with gunshots," Swedish police confirmed Footage shared to social media shows a large police cordon and presence According to information provided to local media the police are hunting a suspected perpetrator who left the scene on an electric scooter the man is said to be wearing sunglasses and dark clothing The area remains cordoned off with an investigation now underway The Swedish Transport Administration confirmed that train traffic has been stopped due to the police operation in the area See more Latest World News See more Latest News See more World News See more More Topics