Reported Swedish shooter lived as recluse in quiet apartment block

A serious shooting occurred at an adult education center in Örebro, Sweden, resulting in 11 deaths, including the shooter. According to multiple media outlets, including Swedish National Broadcasting and Reuters, citing police sources, the suspect has been identified as 35-year-old Rikard Andersson.

Andersson is believed to have lived in a secluded apartment, where broken glass and a damaged doorframe, sealed off by police tape, were visible at the entrance. Police stated that they had no prior knowledge of Andersson, that he was not associated with any gang organizations, and that initial assessments indicated his actions were not ideologically motivated. Further investigation is underway to determine his exact motives.

Chief Investigator Anna Bergqvist stated in an interview with CNN that police have not yet confirmed the identities of Andersson's family members and expect it to take hours or days to complete the identification process, but they have contacted his relatives. Bergqvist revealed at a press conference that the gunman was found inside the school and was previously unknown to the police. He held a license for four guns, all of which have been confiscated, with three found near him when police apprehended him. Furthermore, information suggests Andersson may have had connections to the school, possibly as a former student, but further investigation and verification are needed to confirm these details.

According to Andersson's neighbor, PJ Samuelson, he had been living next door to Andersson since May of last year but had never seen or even heard him. He expressed his shock upon returning home on Tuesday to find his quiet apartment building surrounded by heavily armed police. Another neighbor also stated that they had never seen Andersson. Swedish Tax Agency records show that Andersson's name and social security number match the address. The Tax Agency informed CNN that, as of 2023, their available data showed that Andersson had no record of employment income since 2015.

Following the shooting, a large number of people gathered on the road next to the school where the incident occurred, holding a candlelight vigil to express their condolences and shock. Jennie Samuelson, a relative of one of the victims, stated that her sister-in-law, Camille, was killed in the shooting; Camille was studying to become a nurse. "They came here to learn, not to die," Jennie said sorrowfully, "I can't describe the emptiness in my heart. Why? There are no answers, I don't even know what questions to ask." Many people held white candles, flowers, and handwritten notes to pay tribute to the victims. School shootings are relatively rare in Sweden, and this incident has brought a tremendous shock to the peaceful city.