Swedish royals and PM join mourners at scene of school shooting

King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden traveled to the Risbergska school in Örebro, Sweden, to lay flowers, following the country's deadliest school shooting this week, marking a moment of national mourning and reflection.

On Tuesday, a gunman opened fire at the Risbergska school in Örebro, central Sweden, resulting in the tragic deaths of eleven individuals. Six others sustained injuries during the shooting, with five reported to be in critical condition, highlighting the severity of the attack.

Police have stated that there is no evidence to suggest that the suspect, a 35-year-old unemployed recluse (also among the deceased), had any "ideological motives." The King and Queen attended a memorial service, joined by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, demonstrating national solidarity in the face of tragedy.

“It is difficult to bear grief alone," the King told reporters after the ceremony. "I think all of Sweden feels this traumatic event," reflecting the nationwide impact of the incident. Örebro Mayor Johan Johansson told Swedish broadcaster SVT a day after the attack that he and many other residents were “incredibly scared," underscoring the community's deep sense of fear and vulnerability.

Prime Minister Kristersson stated that February 4th will "forever be a dark day in Swedish history." He added, "We are a nation in mourning, and we must stand together. Together, we must help those who are injured and their relatives bear the grief and the burden of this day," emphasizing the importance of national unity and support for those affected.

Students who were in the classroom at the time recounted their harrowing escapes during the shooting. A student named Malva told Swedish broadcaster TV4: “The person next to me was shot in the shoulder and bled a lot. When I looked back, I saw three people on the ground bleeding. Everyone was in shock, and they said: ‘Get out! Get out!’”

Maria Pergado, a teacher at the school, expressed her concerns about the impact of the shooting on some of her students. “Many of them have fled from countries where similar events have occurred, and now they have experienced it again here. It's just awful," highlighting the re-traumatization of vulnerable students and the need for specialized support.