Uppsala, Sweden—A violent incident at a hair salon in the heart of this historic city has left three people dead, prompting a major police investigation. Authorities confirmed the shooting occurred near Vaksala Square, a bustling area frequented by locals and visitors alike.
Witnesses reported hearing rapid gunfire just before the shooter fled the scene on a scooter. The investigation is ongoing, with police cordoning off a significant portion of the surrounding area as they search for evidence and conduct interviews. The incident took place just hours before the Walpurgis spring festival, which typically draws large crowds to the streets of Uppsala.
“I heard three loud bangs in quick succession,” one witness recounted. Another resident, who was cooking at the time, described the sounds as resembling distant fireworks. He expressed feeling shocked and frightened as emergency responders arrived, filling the streets with police cars and ambulances, urging residents to clear the area.
One of the deceased victims was reportedly being investigated for an alleged plot against a relative of a gang leader, according to local reports. This shooting has raised alarms about the increasing prevalence of gang-related violence in Sweden, an issue that has led government officials to discuss stricter gun control measures.
Police have launched an extensive manhunt for the shooter, deploying helicopters to assist in the search. Train services were briefly halted in the area to prevent the assailant from escaping via public transport, but services have since resumed. Officers are going door-to-door, seeking information from residents and gathering witness accounts.
Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer condemned the shooting as a “brutal act of violence.” In light of the impending Walpurgis celebrations, Swedish police acknowledged heightened public concern but emphasized that their assessment classifies the incident as isolated, assuring citizens that there is no ongoing threat.
This incident follows a February shooting in Örebro, where ten people lost their lives in a similar attack at an adult education center. The recent two events underline the rising tensions around gun violence and gang activities in Sweden, raising questions about community safety and law enforcement responses.