A 16-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of murder following a triple shooting in the Swedish city of Uppsala that left three young males dead.
The victims, aged between 15 and 20, were fatally shot inside a hair salon on Tuesday, local time. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of a terror or hate-related motive but confirmed an arrest was made the following day.
Initially, Swedish police announced a suspect had been taken into custody. Shortly after, the prosecution office revealed that the suspect is 16 years old.
“One individual has been arrested on suspicion of murder,” said Police Commander Erik Åkerlund during a press briefing. He noted the incident appears to be “an isolated event” and confirmed that multiple individuals are being questioned as part of the ongoing investigation.
A police spokesperson stated that after the shooting, a person was seen fleeing the scene on an electric scooter. “Whether this person is a suspect, a witness, or otherwise connected to the incident is still under investigation.”
In previous cases of gang-related violence in Sweden, electric scooters have often been used as getaway vehicles.
Uppsala, located about 40 minutes by car from Stockholm, has experienced numerous gang-related shootings over the past decade, though these typically occur outside the city center.
Swedish Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer said the Ministry of Justice is working closely with police and actively monitoring the situation.
“A shocking act of violence has taken place in the heart of Uppsala,” he said. “This coincides with the beginning of Walpurgis Night celebrations, making the event all the more disturbing.”
Police received multiple emergency calls from people who reported hearing gunfire in the city center. Emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene. Witnesses told Swedish broadcaster SVT that they heard five shots and saw people running for cover.
Authorities confirmed that the shooting is not connected to the city’s Walpurgis Night festivities, which are scheduled for Wednesday.
