OREBRO, Sweden (AP) — Salim Karim Iskef, a 28-year-old nursing student, tragically lost his life during Sweden's deadliest mass shooting at an adult education center in Orebro on Tuesday. Despite sustaining serious gunshot wounds, Iskef managed to video-call his fiancée, Kareen Alia, sharing his love with her one last time and asking her to look after herself and his mother. Their conversation ended with no response when she attempted to call back; she later learned that he had succumbed to his injuries. Iskef was among ten fatalities when a gunman opened fire in the school where he was studying to become a nurse.
The couple had plans for a summer wedding and had recently purchased a home together. Father Jacob Kasselia, from their local Orthodox Christian church, reflected on Iskef's dreams, stating, "He had all of these dreams in his heart. Now, unfortunately, all of these dreams are gone." Meanwhile, authorities revealed that the unidentified shooter was connected to the education center and had possibly attended school there in the past.
The shooter was found dead near the scene, with three firearms, ten empty magazines, and a significant amount of unused ammunition beside him. However, the cause of his death remains unknown, and police confirmed that they did not engage with the suspect during the incident. Reports indicate that at least five individuals over the age of 18 suffered severe gunshot wounds, while another individual received treatment for minor injuries.
As investigations progress, law enforcement has not identified a clear motive behind the shooting. Police officials stated there had been no warnings or indications of impending violence, and they believe the perpetrator acted alone, with no ties to terrorism currently suspected.
The adult education center, known as Campus Risbergska, provides a range of educational programs for adults above the age of 20, including Swedish language classes for immigrants, vocational training, and services for those with intellectual disabilities. It is located on the outskirts of Orebro, approximately 200 kilometers (125 miles) from Stockholm.
Iskef's background is heart-wrenching; his family fled Syria due to the civil war between 2014 and 2015, and he had previously served as a healthcare worker during the COVID-19 pandemic. His sister, Hanan Eskif, shared her devastation, stating, "We've lived together our entire lives... My whole life was with him, how am I supposed to live without him?" The family held a memorial service at their church, although Iskef’s body had yet to be recovered by late Thursday.
In the wake of the tragedy, a vigil was held where mourners gathered to pay their respects. Amidst growing concern over the prevalence of gun violence, the Swedish government, along with the Sweden Democrats, is reportedly preparing to propose stricter gun regulations. The proposals aim to limit access to semi-automatic rifles, such as the AR-15. It has been disclosed that the shooter possessed licenses for four firearms, three of which were discovered at the crime scene, while the fourth was subsequently seized by police.
Under current Swedish law, individuals wishing to obtain a firearm must secure a weapon license and prove that the weapon will be utilized for acceptable activities, such as hunting or target shooting. Furthermore, applicants must provide valid hunting or target shooting certificates, which necessitate completion of specific training courses. In a country of approximately 10.5 million, there were over 660,000 registered gun owners at the start of 2024, with around two million firearms collectively owned.
Legislation mandates that all firearms must be securely stored in police-approved cabinets. Extremely limited permits for fully automatic or one-handed weapons are granted only for exceptional cases and are generally time-limited. If a firearm is modified beyond its original function, permits are automatically revoked.
