A tragic shooting occurred outside a mosque in Örebro, resulting in one death and one injury. The incident, linked to gang crime, has prompted a police investigation into murder and attempted murder. The community is in shock, and local authorities have activated crisis teams to provide support.
Shooting at Örebro Mosque: One Dead, One Injured
Shooting at Örebro Mosque: One Dead, One Injured
Two people were shot after Friday prayers at a mosque in Örebro.
The first reports of gunfire at the mosque in the Vivalla district came at 1:45 PM on Friday. The shooting occurred outdoors, according to the police.
– Two individuals have been injured and taken to the hospital by ambulance, says Gabriel Henning, spokesperson for the Bergslagen police region.
At 5:30 PM, the police announced that a man in his 20s had died following the shooting.
The police have launched an investigation into murder, attempted murder, and serious weapons offenses.
Linked to Gang Crime
According to Mazen Muwaffak at the Örebro mosque, the victims were mosque visitors.
– We don't know if it was personal or targeted at the mosque, but it's good that the police are doing their job, said Mazen Muwaffak shortly after the incident.
Later, the police stated that they initially assess the shooting as linked to gang crime.
– The current situation suggests that the shooting is not connected to any religious community or the mosque, but rather the criminal network environment, says Anders Dahlman of the police.
Samir Saidson, 45, was also near the mosque when the shooting occurred. He was about to enter Ica Maxi to shop when he heard sirens and decided to see what had happened.
He reports seeing ambulances, fire trucks, and police outside the mosque.
– I was very shocked. I thought, if someone wants to murder someone, how can they do it in the middle of such a large gathering of people?, says Samir.
He saw hundreds of people at the scene.
– Everyone stood silently, staring at each other. It looked like they were in shock from the whole event.
Police Hunt for Perpetrators
Police and several rescue operations are on the scene. Residents in the area are urged to respect the cordons in place and not to go there unnecessarily.
The atmosphere at the scene is tense, writes Nerikes Allehanda.
– We naturally don't want more people moving around the area until we have secured it and improved our understanding of the situation, says Lars Hedelin.
No one has been arrested, and a hunt for the perpetrator is ongoing.
– It's part of the work, both securing the scene and talking to witnesses, says Gabriel Henning.
At 3:45 PM, the police announced that the hunt was still ongoing.
– I am not aware of any arrests yet, but we are working hard on the scene.
Police Stop Bus on E18
Shortly before 4 PM, the police stopped a bus on the E18, between Örebro and Karlstad. According to a person who drove past the scene, the police boarded the bus.
– There are many plainclothes officers there, four to five cars with blue lights were on the road, says the witness to Expressen.
The police confirm they stopped the bus but do not want to comment on whether it is connected to the shooting or if anyone was detained in connection with the operation.
Municipality on Alert
Örebro municipality has put its crisis organization on alert following the incident, writes Nerikes Allehanda.
– We are activating our team that works with psychosocial care so that they are ready when it may be necessary to deploy that support, says municipal director Peter Larsson to the newspaper.
– We are also activating our presence around the area with the contact points we have with organizations and religious communities. We have cross-functional groups with crisis teams that we assemble.