Five people were shot and wounded at an adult education center in the central Swedish city of Orebro on Tuesday, February 4, police said, urging the public to stay away from the area as a large operation was underway. Images from the scene showed a large police presence with multiple ambulances and emergency vehicles outside the center.
"The extent of the injuries is unclear. The operation is ongoing," police said in a statement, adding later that no officers had been wounded during the operation.
Police initially said that four people had been shot, but updated the tally minutes later to five. The crime was being investigated as "attempted murder, arson and an aggravated weapons offense." Members of the public were urged to stay away from the area, or stay inside their homes. In an update just after 2 pm, police stressed that "the danger is not over. The public MUST stay away." Police were to hold a press conference at 3:30 pm. Students in nearby schools and the school in question had been locked in "for safety reasons," police said.
Speaking to broadcaster SVT, Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer said the reports were "very serious." "The government is in close contact with the police and is closely following developments," Strommer told SVT.