Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.
The King and Queen of Sweden visited the site of the school massacre in Örebro, where 10 people were slain before the suspected attacker turned his gun on himself, according to police.
King Carl XVI Gustaf stood solemnly by Queen Sylvia’s side as she laid bright white flowers at a makeshift memorial near the Risbergska School, in the central Swedish city 125 miles west of Stockholm.
“A grieving process is hard to do alone,” King Carl told reporters at the scene. “I think all of Sweden feels it has experienced this traumatic event.”
The suspect is believed to have acted alone, police said on Wednesday, when he rampaged through the adult educational institute as terrified students and teachers sheltered under tables and barricaded classrooms.
Authorities have not yet revealed the identity of the dead gunman, but an investigation into his motive is ongoing, local police chief Roberto Eid Forest told reporters on Wednesday.
Swedish media has reported that the suspect is a 35-year-old man, described by one relative as a “loner” who “keeps to himself”.
Six people remain in hospital, including five with gunshot wounds and two in intensive care, local health authorities confirmed.
Watch: Sombre scenes as Swedish royals and Prime Minister visit school shooting scene
Alex Croft5 February 2025 14:46
Öresund Bridge to light up in memory of the dead
The Öresund Bridge, the 7.8 kilometre cable-bridge connecting Denmark and Sweden, will light up tonight in memory of those killed in the school massacre.
“Special mourning lights” will be adorn the bridge to commemorate the dead, the bridge announced.
“Two pylons are extinguished while two pylons are illuminated with the colors of the Swedish flag, which is intended to symbolize a form of half-mast flag flying,” it added.
The lighting will begin at dusk on Wednesday and turn off at sunrise on Thursday.
Alex Croft5 February 2025 14:32
Relatives of suspected gunman say 35-year-old was a ‘loner’ – report
The man suspected to be behind Sweden’s worst ever mass shooting was a “loner”, relatives have told Swedish media.
Police are yet to confirm the identity of the dead shooter, who they believe turned the gun on himself on Tuesday afternoon.
“We haven’t had much contact with him in recent years. As a child he was different but lively. He did well in school. In recent years he has had a hard time,” the relative told Aftonbladet.
He has not had much contact with his immediate family in recent years, the relative added.
“He sometimes comes along when his siblings come home and it’s Christmas Eve or something else to celebrate. His mom and dad are out traveling a lot, so he usually takes care of their dog. He spends a lot of time at their house,” they added.
Another relative painted a similar picture: “He keeps to himself a lot. He’s a loner.”
Alex Croft5 February 2025 14:16
Watch: Swedish King says Sweden is “standing behind” families of school shooting victims
Alex Croft5 February 2025 14:07
‘Grieving is hard to do alone’, says King Carl
After laying perfect white flowers at the makeshift memorial commemorating those slain in a depraved mass shooting, Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf issued a call for national unity.
“A grieving process is hard to do alone,” he told reporters. “I think all of Sweden feels it has experienced this traumatic event.
“We have come here to show our sympathy and we are thinking of the deceased, but also of course their families, loved ones. The relatives are not alone, we are with them,” he added.
Alex Croft5 February 2025 14:03
In pictures: King, Queen and prime minister lay flowers at memorial
Alex Croft5 February 2025 13:49
‘What happened to beautiful Sweden?’ asks Queen Sylvia
Speaking to the media during their visit to the Campus Risbergska, where 11 people died yesterday, Queen Sylvia expressed her devastation.
“Of course, we are thinking of family members and everyone who has died now and I wonder… what happened to the beautiful Sweden?” she said to reporters, according to Expressen.
“I have a great wish for all the Swedish people to help and build it up again. Strengthen Sweden’s good name and everything that means to be Swedish.
“That’s what I wish now. A lot has happened lately and it is my great wish and the King’s that we all together build up the fine Sweden that has been.”
Alex Croft5 February 2025 13:40
Kins wait outside hospital searching for friends among casualties
Family members of potential victims waited outside the Orebro University Hospital overnight.
Ali Elmokad was looking for his relative, unsure whether he was among the injured or the dead.
“We’ve been trying to get hold of him all day, we haven’t been successful,” he said, adding that he had a friend who also attended the school.
“What she saw was so terrible. She only saw people lying on the floor, injured and blood everywhere.”
Alex Croft5 February 2025 13:25
Swedish King and Queen visit site of shooting in Örebro
The King and Queen of Sweden have arrived in Örebro, to visit the site of Tuesday’s devastating shooting.
Carl XVI Gustaf and his wife, Queen Silvia, will later attend a memorial service in St. Nicolai Church in the centre of the city.
Alex Croft5 February 2025 13:14
Watch live: Swedish royals and prime minster visit school shooting scene
Alex Croft5 February 2025 13:10