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Sweden’s prosecution authority has announced the detention of a 16-year-old male in connection with the tragic shooting that resulted in the deaths of three individuals in Uppsala on Tuesday.
During a press conference, police indicated that this suspect was among several individuals being interrogated, although they did not disclose the age of those involved at that time.
The shooting occurred at a hair salon within Uppsala, a university town situated approximately 45 miles north of Stockholm. Authorities have stated that they consider the event isolated and not associated with the upcoming Valborg celebrations, a traditional Swedish bonfire festival marking the onset of spring, scheduled for Wednesday evening.
Reports from Swedish media suggest that one of the victims had ties to organized crime, although police have withheld confirmation of such details.
Gang violence has emerged as a critical issue in Sweden, a topic that has sparked significant national discourse, particularly regarding the alarming trend of younger individuals becoming embroiled in this cycle of violence. Rival gangs frequently resort to the use of firearms and explosives in their conflicts.
Following the incident, police have urged the public for any information, especially concerning a masked individual observed fleeing the scene on an electric scooter.
The Minister of Justice, Gunnar Strömmer, characterized the incident as a “brutal act of violence” and underscored the gravity of the situation.
Authorities received multiple reports of loud bangs around 5 PM on Tuesday, prompting police to respond quickly. Upon arrival, they discovered three individuals with gunshot wounds, who were unfortunately beyond medical help.
Magnus Jansson Klarin, a spokesperson for the Uppsala police, remarked, “Quite soon we encountered three people who appeared to have been shot. They did not need to be taken to hospital.”
In response to the rising threat of gun-related crime, the Swedish government had previously announced plans in February to enhance regulations surrounding weapons, following the nation’s deadliest mass shooting, where ten lives were claimed at an educational institution in Örebro. Investigations into the perpetrator’s motives are ongoing.
Reuters and Agence France-Presse contributed to this report
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www.theguardian.com