What do we know about the Sweden school shooter?

On Tuesday afternoon, the perpetrator of Sweden’s deadliest mass shooting walked through the halls of the Risbergska adult education center. Hellen Werme, a 35-year-old nursing student, heard his footsteps outside her classroom. “We heard three shots, one after another, and panicked. My teacher shouted, ‘Shut the doors, lock them, and hide,’” she recounted to Sweden’s TV4 News.

Although police have not officially named the attacker, Sweden’s public broadcaster SVT identified him as 35-year-old Rickard Andersson. The gunman was among the 11 people who lost their lives in the attack in the central Swedish city of Orebro. Local media have described him as a recluse who lived in the area and legally owned a firearm.

Here’s what is known so far: the suspect had no prior criminal record, no apparent ties to gangs, and authorities have not classified the attack as terrorism-related. However, reports suggest he may have had grievances with local social services, possibly linked to the loss of his welfare benefits. Investigations into the motive and circumstances of the attack are ongoing.

The suspect’s motives remain unclear, but police have indicated that he was not previously known to them and is believed to have acted alone. Authorities have stated that he had no connections to gangs and likely acted “without any ideological motive.” They also do not believe the attack was driven by terrorism.

Local police chief Roberto Eid Forest emphasized that the situation is evolving, saying, “It’s a changing situation. The information we gave earlier is still valid, but may change later.” When officers arrived at the scene, they reportedly came under fire but were not injured. Police later found the suspect dead, and Mr. Forest suggested that it appeared he had taken his own life.

As the investigation continues, authorities are working to uncover more details about the suspect’s background and potential reasons for the attack. For now, the focus remains on piecing together the events and understanding what led to this tragic incident.

Here’s what else is known about the suspect:

In an interview with the Swedish tabloid *Aftonbladet*, a relative described him as someone who had little contact with his family in recent years and was unemployed. “As a child, he was different but lively,” the relative said. “He did well at school. But recent years were tough for him.” Another relative characterized him as a “recluse” who may have struggled with mental health issues, adding, “Before, he had a friend he spent a lot of time with, but not now. He wants to be on his own. He doesn’t seem to like people much.”

The suspect reportedly changed his surname eight years ago, though the reasons for this remain unclear. Hours after the attack, heavily armed police raided a flat in Orebro believed to be registered to him, using drones and a ladder truck, according to Swedish Radio. Investigations revealed that he had no prior criminal convictions and had declared no income in recent years.

These details paint a picture of an isolated individual who may have faced personal struggles, though the exact motivations behind the attack are still under investigation. Authorities continue to piece together his background and the events leading up to the tragedy.