A major police operation is underway at Risbergska School, following reports of a violent crime spree.
Police in Sweden said on Feb. 4 that around 10 people had been killed in an attack at an adult education center in the city of Orebro in central Sweden.
According to the latest police press conference reported by Sweden’s national public television broadcaster SVT, authorities now believe that the shooter is one of the dead. They said he was not known to the police before.
“Five persons are confirmed shot,” police said in an earlier statement, adding that the extent of any injuries was unclear.
“This is currently seen as attempted murder, arson, and aggravated weapons offense,” the police said.
In an earlier update at 15:39 (CET), Orebro Police said it believed that one of the individuals in the hospital was suspected to be the perpetrator.
Police previously said that they are continuing to search the school and are focusing on security-enhancing efforts.
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“We placed students and staff in lockdown at multiple schools because we were unsure of the perpetrator’s or perpetrators’ next steps and whether more attacks were planned. We no longer believe that to be the case and have begun an evacuation,” said police.
“However, we do not want the public or other individuals at the scene, as the operation is still ongoing.”
“We have received four patients but cannot say anything about the condition of the injured, but they were admitted to the emergency room at Orebro University Hospital,” an Orebro region spokesperson told Reuters.
The shooting took place in a campus area where several schools, for both children and adults, are located.
The school, called Campus Risbergska, serves students over the age of 20, according to its website.
Primary and upper secondary school courses are offered, as well as Swedish classes for immigrants, vocational training, and programs for people with intellectual disabilities.
A video from the scene showed a large police presence and emergency vehicles. Students sheltered in nearby buildings. Other parts of the school were evacuated following the shooting.
Police said that no officers were shot during the violence.
“The news of an attack at Orebro is very serious,” Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer told public broadcaster SVT.
Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
