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| AP Photo |
Authorities in Sweden have confirmed that three people were killed in a shooting that occurred on Tuesday in the central part of Uppsala, a city near Stockholm. The attack took place near a hair salon close to Vaksala Square, just one day before the city’s spring festival, which typically attracts around 100,000 visitors.
Police reported that the assailant was masked and fled the scene on an electric scooter. The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, and authorities have launched a homicide investigation. There is no evidence at this time to suggest the incident was related to terrorism or a hate crime.
Swedish Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer described the event as a "brutal act of violence" and emphasized its seriousness. The identities of the victims and the suspect have not been released.
In recent years, Sweden has experienced a surge in gang-related violence involving firearms, often committed by individuals under the age of criminal responsibility (15 years). However, police have not confirmed whether this shooting is connected to gang activity.
Earlier this year, Sweden witnessed its deadliest mass shooting in Örebro, where ten people were killed by a lone gunman at an adult education center. The country continues to grapple with rising gun violence, prompting government efforts to tighten gun laws and increase police powers.
The investigation into the Uppsala shooting is ongoing as authorities work to apprehend the suspect and determine the circumstances of the attack.