Sweden: Three Dead in Apparent Gang Shooting in Uppsala

Uppsala, Sweden

The bodies just keep piling up in Sweden. Today in the university town of Uppsala, three people were shot to death in the center of the city. A suspected shooter reportedly fled the scene on an electric scooter. He was masked and hooded, so it appears there is no further description.

Swedish State Television (SVT) has learned that one of the victims was involved in a police investigation into a planned attack against a relative of gang leader Ismail Abdo of the Foxtrot Network. Thus, it would appear this is the latest gang-related shooting in Sweden.

The below SVT article is translated by Fousesquawk.

Caption: Three people have been killed in a shooting near Vaksala Square in Uppsala. Roadblocks are in place after the shooting.

Police confirm: Three dead in shooting in Uppsala

Updated today at 22:15. Posted today at 17:29

Three people have died in a shooting in central Uppsala, police confirm.

One of the people shot to death, according to information provided to SVT, was (involved) in an investigation into the planned attack on a relative of gang leader Ismail Abdo.  

The shooting occurred around 5 pm on Tuesday. Several people reported that they heard loud shots in the area. Police have cordoned off a large area near Vaksala Square.

According to early information provided to SVT, several people have reportedly been killed. Around 7:25 pm, police confirmed that three people have died in the shooting and that the incident is being investigated as murder.

"These three people are not identified, and therefore, relatives have not yet been notified, and we won't give any more information at this time," says police pressperson Maria Hall to SVT News. 

One of the dead persons is a man who was (involved) in an investigation in a planned attack on a relative of gang leader Ismail Abdo, according to information provided to SVT.

May have fled on an electric scooter

Police have initiated a so-called special incident in connection with a violent act. A suspected perpetrator reportedly fled the scene, according to SVT's information. Meanwhile, police are searching the area with canine units and drones.

"There is information that a person left the scene on an electric scooter, but whether it is a witness, a perpetrator, or whether the person even is connected is uncertain. People should come forward with tips if they have information on this," says press spokesperson Maria Hall to SVT.  

Witness: "Heard shots"

SVT has spoken to several witnesses at the scene who say they heard several shots.

"I heard shots, so I immediately understood that it must be a shooting," says Alexander Griedl, who lives near the suspected crime scene.

Minister: A brutal act of violence

Justice Minister Gunnar  Strömmer has commented on the incident and describes it as "extraordinarily serious".

"A brutal act of violence has occurred in central Uppsala. Police have confirmed that three persons have lost their lives. This at the same time as all of Uppsala is beginning the Walpurgis holiday. What has happened is extraordinarily serious".

He says that the Justice Department is in close contact with police and is following the development of the incident closely.

Caption: Alexander Griedl lives just some 50 meters from the suspected scene of the crime.