Investigation Underway After Deadly Shooting in Sweden’s Uppsala

A tragic shooting in Uppsala, Sweden, has left at least three people dead, prompting a murder investigation by local authorities. The incident occurred on Tuesday near Vaksala Square, located in the heart of the city, roughly 60 kilometers north of Stockholm.

Police were alerted by several members of the public who reported hearing gunshots in the area. Emergency services quickly arrived at the scene, where they confirmed the fatalities.

Authorities have launched an investigation, and Swedish Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer expressed his concerns, calling the event a "brutal act of violence." Strommer noted that the shooting occurred just as Uppsala was gearing up for its Walpurgis Night celebrations, an important tradition in northern Europe.

Reports from Swedish media, including SVT, indicate that the suspect fled the scene on a scooter, though details about the perpetrator remain scarce.

Paul Rhys, who is reporting from Uppsala, noted that the shooting took place in a busy residential area, where festivities were underway. Witnesses say between five and eight shots were fired, with the attack occurring at a local hair salon. This has led to speculation that the attack may have been targeted.

Sweden has faced increasing gun violence in recent years, largely linked to gang activity. The country’s government, led by a right-wing coalition that took power in 2022, has pledged to combat gang violence. The recent attack follows a deadly mass shooting in February in Orebro, where ten people were killed at an adult education center.

Uppsala, Sweden's fourth-largest city with a population of around 230,000, is no stranger to such incidents, as the nation grapples with an ongoing wave of gang-related violence.


By WafricNews Europe Desk | April 29, 2025