Two Acquitted in Bredäng Murder Case – Father of Three Shot Dead

A 43-year-old father of three was shot dead in southern Stockholm in May last year. The man had previously been threatened, and the motive was initially suspected to be honor-related.

Early on a Monday morning in May 2024, police were alerted to an apartment building in Bredäng, southern Stockholm, after neighbors heard several gunshots.

A 43-year-old father of three was found shot outside his entrance. He was on his way to work.

At least one suspect reportedly fled the murder scene on an electric scooter, according to witnesses.

The man died from the six shots fired at him.

Shortly after the shooting, two childhood friends in their late teens—now 18 and 19 years old—were arrested.

The two teenagers were charged in June, suspected of shooting the man together in broad daylight.

During the trial, the prosecutor demanded 8.5 years in prison for the 18-year-old and a life sentence for the 19-year-old.

Now, both men are acquitted of murder but convicted of serious weapons offenses.

The 19-year-old is sentenced by the Södertörn District Court to four years in prison. The 18-year-old is sentenced to closed juvenile care for 1 year and 2 months. He is also convicted of several drug offenses.

The court found them guilty of serious weapons offenses because they hid the murder weapon in a wooded area near one of their homes. However, despite the strong evidence of weapon handling, there was not enough evidence to convict them of murder or complicity in murder.

The 18-year-old man—who was 17 at the time of the murder—has previously been convicted of several crimes, including drug offenses. The investigation reveals that he has been on the police radar since 2020. He sold drugs on behalf of the Bredäng network.

His 19-year-old childhood friend—who was 18 at the time of the shooting—has no prior convictions.

"Looking Over My Shoulder"

The police's early theory in the investigation was that the murder could be honor-related.

The 43-year-old victim had previously been subjected to a brutal assault, which the district court deemed honor-related, and pleaded with the police for a bulletproof vest as he feared for his life.

"Wherever I go, I look over my shoulder," the man said in an interview after the assault.

According to the police, the 43-year-old had specifically identified the two men as potential perpetrators in previous police interviews after an incident in March 2022.

At that time, one of the murder suspects' fathers allegedly threatened to harm him.

"We have filed a police report that he has threatened me, that he has incited his children to kill me. We have a recording of it," the 43-year-old said in a police interview.

A few months later, the man was brutally assaulted by five people.

He was convinced that the assault was rooted in an honor culture.

"Difficult to Prove Honor Motive"

According to the investigation, the 43-year-old man was murdered after a prolonged family conflict.

The man who was shot to death had a close friendship with a woman who had previously been married to the 18-year-old's father.

The ex-husband's family had for several years subjected the woman to threats, violence, and harassment to get her to return to the marriage—something she refused.

According to the police investigation, both the ex-husband and the couple's sons played an active role in the pressure. The now-convicted 18-year-old had previously expressed contempt and hatred towards his mother and saw her friendship with the murder victim as an affront to the family's honor.

He called her, among other things, a "whore" and "impure."

But during the investigation, an honor motive could not be substantiated.

"Initially, there were indications of an honor motive, but not specifically regarding these two accused. There was not enough evidence for it to be included in the indictment. It is difficult to prove an honor motive," says prosecutor Kajsa Frisk.

There is another suspect in the case, the 18-year-old's older brother, who has not yet been charged as the police have not been able to locate him. He is likely abroad.

"It is a circumstantial case, and the district court does not think the evidence was sufficient. I will read the verdict and consider whether to appeal or not," writes prosecutor Kajsa Frisk in an email response after the verdict.