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Authorities in Uppsala, Sweden, have confirmed that three individuals lost their lives in a shooting incident.
The violent event unfolded at a hair salon near Vaksala Square, as reported by local news outlets. Following the incident, the assailant escaped on a scooter and remains at large.
Law enforcement officials have secured a significant perimeter around the scene, initiating a murder investigation to uncover the circumstances surrounding the attack.
The timing of the incident is particularly alarming, occurring just before the Walpurgis spring festival, an event that typically attracts large gatherings in Uppsala, a city situated north of Stockholm and renowned for its prestigious university.
“The entire episode happened so quickly; it was just a series of loud bangs,” recounted a witness during an interview with Swedish television network TV4.
Police spokesperson Magnus Jansson Klarin described the operation as a “major effort,” with aerial support from a police helicopter aiding in the pursuit of the suspect.
To prevent the shooter from escaping via public transportation, train services in the vicinity were temporarily halted, although services have since been reinstated, according to Klarin.
As of now, the identities of both the victims and the shooter have not been disclosed. The incident raises pressing concerns regarding the rise in gun violence and gang-related activities in Sweden, prompting bipartisan discussions about potential reforms to the country’s firearms legislation.
Earlier this year, in February, a tragic shooting at an adult education center in Örebro resulted in the deaths of ten people, highlighting the worsening trend of violent crime across the nation.
Source
www.bbc.com