16-Year-Old Detained After Deadly Shooting in Uppsala
Swedish authorities have detained a 16-year-old suspect in connection with a shooting that left three people dead in the city of Uppsala. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday afternoon at a hair salon near Vaksala Square, has shocked the local community and reignited discussions about gun violence in Sweden.
The Incident: What Happened?
The shooting took place just as Uppsala was preparing for Walpurgis Night, a major spring festival. According to police, the victims, aged between 15 and 20, were found with injuries consistent with gunshot wounds. Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots and described chaotic scenes as people fled the area. Public broadcaster SVT reported that the suspect fled the scene on an electric scooter.
Police conducted door-to-door inquiries and interviewed witnesses in an effort to gather more information. Mobile phones and other materials were also seized for analysis. However, the motive behind the attack remains unclear, and authorities have not ruled out gang-related violence as a potential factor.
Sweden’s Struggle with Gun Violence
Sweden has been grappling with a rise in gun violence over the past decade, much of it attributed to gang-related activities. In 2023, the country recorded the highest rate of deadly gun violence per capita in the European Union, with 40 shooting deaths reported in 2024 so far. This marks a decline from the 63 deaths recorded in 2022 but remains a significant concern for law enforcement and policymakers.
Experts attribute the rise in violence to criminal gangs exploiting Sweden’s relatively lenient sentencing for minors. Many gang leaders operate from abroad, directing younger members to carry out violent acts. Despite efforts to tighten gun laws and increase police powers, the problem persists.
Legal Proceedings and Investigation
The detained 16-year-old is being held under the highest level of suspicion in Sweden’s legal system. Due to the suspect’s age, court documents have been heavily redacted. The Swedish Prosecution Authority confirmed that an intensive investigation is underway, involving the analysis of seized materials and continued witness interviews.
Police have emphasized that it is too early to determine whether the shooting was gang-related, but they are pursuing this theory intensively. They have also stated that the incident appears to be isolated and is not linked to the Walpurgis Night celebrations.
Community Impact and Government Response
The shooting has left the Uppsala community in shock, particularly as it coincided with preparations for one of the city’s busiest holidays. Swedish Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer condemned the violence, calling it “a brutal act” and emphasizing the government’s commitment to combating gang-related crime.
Sweden’s right-wing government, which came to power in 2022, has prioritized addressing gang violence. Measures include stricter gun laws and enhanced police authority. However, critics argue that more comprehensive social interventions are needed to address the root causes of gang recruitment and violence.
Comparisons to Recent Incidents
This shooting comes just months after Sweden’s deadliest mass shooting in February, where 10 people were killed at an adult education center in Örebro. The incident highlighted the growing prevalence of gun violence in the country and prompted renewed calls for stricter gun control measures.
While Sweden has high rates of gun ownership compared to other EU countries, obtaining a firearm requires a license, and there are strict eligibility criteria. Despite these regulations, illegal firearms remain accessible to criminal networks.
As investigations continue, the Uppsala shooting serves as a grim reminder of the challenges Sweden faces in curbing gun violence and ensuring public safety.
Source: CNN, Reuters, SVT