A masked gunman is on the run after a deadly shooting in Sweden that left three people dead. The incident happened on April 29 in the city of Uppsala, just before the spring Walpurgis festival. Police say the suspect stormed into a local salon named Shalom, opened fire, and then sped off on an electric scooter.
The attack sent shockwaves through the peaceful university town, which lies north of Stockholm. As police rushed to the scene, large parts of central Uppsala were sealed off. Trains were briefly stopped to prevent the suspect from escaping, and helicopters were brought in to help with the manhunt.
Local residents were left shaken. “It’s scary. We live next door and there are children here,” said Nina, a nearby resident.
Swedish police received multiple calls reporting loud bangs, which were quickly confirmed to be gunshots. The motive for the shooting is still unclear. But there are hints that the attack might be gang-related. One of the victims was reportedly being investigated for planning an attack on the relative of a gang leader, according to Swedish national broadcaster SVT.
Sweden has been facing a growing problem with gang violence. Shootings and bombings have become more common, and this latest attack has only added to public concern. Just two months ago, 10 people were killed in a shooting at an education centre in central Sweden.
The government has promised to crack down on gun crime. Officials believe more people may be involved in this latest shooting, though no arrests have been made yet.
Police spokesperson Magnus Jansson Klarin said officers are working non-stop to find the suspect. Door-to-door investigations are underway, and authorities are asking anyone with information to come forward.