At least three people have died following a shooting in Uppsala, Sweden. The incident occurred near Vaksala Square, a bustling area in the city about 60 kilometers north of Stockholm. Police received multiple reports from locals who heard what sounded like gunfire on Tuesday.
Emergency services quickly arrived at the scene, and authorities have since launched a murder investigation. Reports indicate that the suspect fled the area on a scooter, but details about the individual or the motive for the shooting remain unclear.
Swedish Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer commented on the situation, calling it a "brutal act of violence." He noted that it coincided with Walpurgis Night, a traditional celebration in northern Europe. Strommer emphasized the seriousness of the event and stated that his ministry is in close contact with law enforcement as they monitor the situation.
Witnesses reported hearing between five to eight shots fired, and the shooting took place at a hair salon, suggesting it may have been a targeted attack. The shooting has raised concerns about the ongoing issue of gang-related violence in Sweden, which has seen a troubling rise in gun incidents over the past decade.
Uppsala, with a population of around 230,000, is the fourth-largest city in Sweden. This incident adds to a growing list of violent events in the country, including a recent mass shooting in February that left ten people dead in Örebro.
As the investigation unfolds, the community is left grappling with the shock of this tragic event and the implications it has for safety in their city.