Sweden Shooting: Victim Asked to Stay on Phone During Attack

Sweden Grapples with Aftermath of Deadly School Shooting

Örebro, Sweden – The Swedish city of Örebro is in mourning following a mass shooting at Campus Risbergska, an adult education center, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. The attack, which Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson described as the worst mass shooting in Swedish history, left ten people dead, in addition to the gunman, and six others injured.

The perpetrator has been identified as Rickard Andersson, 35. According to police, Andersson arrived at the school campus by bus at 7:45 AM CET, several hours before initiating the shooting at approximately 12:31 PM. Investigators have revealed that the weapons used in the attack – a 12-gauge Mossberg 590A1 pump-action shotgun and a .30-06 Springfield Browning BAR semi-automatic rifle – were transported into the school inside a guitar case and two bags. A .22LR Ruger 10/22 semi-automatic rifle was also recovered, but not used in the attack, along with a Bowie knife and smoke grenades.

The motive behind the shooting remains under investigation, but authorities believe Andersson’s actions were primarily driven by suicidal ideation and frustrations over repeatedly being denied health care service benefits. Resentment towards the school itself is also being considered as a contributing factor. Police stated in May 2025 that the perpetrator likely targeted Campus Risbergska because he had previously been enrolled there.

Eyewitness accounts paint a harrowing picture of the events. One survivor recounted the terrifying moment the gunman entered the classroom. “I was in the classroom and someone suddenly came in. I saw him, I saw the shooter. As soon as he entered, he’d started shooting. Six, five times. So I started running,” the survivor told Sky News. “I fell over and he started shooting towards me and I dropped my phone as I ran off and managed to escape.” The survivor, who wished to remain anonymous, described feeling unable to sleep and experiencing immense grief after losing friends in the attack.

The shooting unfolded after many students had completed a national exam. The adult education center is situated between two schools, and the morning after the attack, children and parents gathered at the police cordon to light candles.

According to a report from Swedish broadcaster HD – Nyheter Dygnet Runt, some individuals received disturbing phone calls during the shooting. The report details accounts of people being told to remain on the line while shots were fired.

The investigation, which police described as “robust,” is ongoing as authorities attempt to piece together the sequence of events and fully understand the gunman’s motivations. As of May 2025, the Swedish Police Authority appeared to close their investigation.

The attack has sent shockwaves throughout Sweden, prompting flags to be flown at half-mast across the country. Locals have expressed fear and uncertainty about returning to nearby schools. The incident has raised questions about safety and security within educational institutions and the availability of mental health resources.