Rickard Andersson named as man behind Sweden’s deadliest gun attack

The identity of the man responsible for the deadliest mass shooting in Swedish history has been revealed. Warning: Disturbing content.

Swedish media have revealed the identity of the gunman allegedly responsible for killing 10 people before turning his weapon on himself.

Local outlet Expressen named Rickard Andersson, 35, as the gunman and conducted a number of chilling interviews with his family and friends.

Rickard Andersson has been named as the gunman behind a mass shooting in Sweden

One relative labelled the alleged gunman, who was originally called Jonas Simon until he changed his name several years ago, as an unemployed loner who was “having a hard time”.

“We haven’t had much contact with him in recent years. As a child he was different but lively. He did well in school,” the family member told Expressen.

“But in recent years he has had a hard time. He is not working.”

Another described the man as having “extreme social phobia”.

A former classmate stated he always felt “a little scared” of Andersson.

The death toll now stands at 11, as police continue to the motive for the horror gun rampage at an education centre.

Local police chief Roberto Eid Forest said the 35-year-old gunman, who was not previously known to the police and has no suspected links to terrorism, was among the dead.

Terrifying footage emerged showing the suspected lone gunman stalking the halls of the Campus Risbergska School in Orebro as students scream and run for their lives.

Police at the Risbergska School in Orebro after the horror gun rampage. Picture: AFP

Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson described it as the “worst mass shooting in Swedish history”.

“It is a very painful day for all of Sweden,” he wrote on X.

“My thoughts are also with all those whose normal school day was replaced with horror. Being confined to a classroom fearing for your own life is a nightmare that no one should have to experience.”

He said the government was “closely monitoring developments”.

Police officers at the campus following the mass shooting. Picture: AFP

Members of the emergency services work at the scene of the Risbergska School in Orebro, Sweden. Picture: AFP

The head of the local police district Roberto Eid Forest has confirmed approximately 10 deaths. Picture: AFP

The shooting took place in Orebro, around 200km west of Stockholm, at the Risbergska school for young adults who did not complete their formal education, including those with special needs.

It is located on a campus that also houses schools for children.

School attacks are relatively rare in Sweden, but the country has suffered shootings and bombings linked to gang violence that kill dozens of people each year.

A police cordon blocks the road leading to the scene of the Risbergska School in Orebro. Picture: AFP

Police special forces are seen leaving the scene. Picture: AFP

Two Campus Risbergska teachers, Miriam Jarlevall and Patrik Soderman, told newspaper Dagens Nyheter they heard gunfire in a hallway.

“Students came and said someone was shooting. Then we heard more shooting in the hallway. We didn’t go out, we hid in our offices,” they said.

“There were a lot of gunshots at first and then it was quiet for a half-hour and then it started again. We were lying under our desks, cowering.”

Members of the police special forces leave the scene at the Risbergska School. Picture: AFP

Some witnesses told Swedish media they heard what they believed to be automatic gunfire.

Swedish television channel TV4 meanwhile reported that police had raided the suspect’s home in Orebro.

Police have not confirmed that information.

The head of the local police Roberto Eid Forest speaks during a press conference. Picture: AFP

Orebro healthcare authorities said in a statement that four of the people with gunshot wounds had undergone surgery at Orebro University Hospital, and the fifth had only “slight injuries” and did not require surgery.

A sixth person lightly wounded in the attack was also treated for non-gunshot injuries, its said, providing no other details.

Police said they were investigating “attempted murder, arson and an aggravated weapons offence”.

They urged members of the public to stay away from the area, or keep inside their homes.

Students in several nearby schools as well as the one in question had been locked in for several hours “for safety reasons” before gradually being released, police said.

Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has expressed his sorrow. Picture: AFP

A mother whose son was kept indoors at his nearby school for several hours during the police operation told AFP she was “shocked” and “angry”.

“My son is at this school behind us, they’re locked in too. They have to hide, so I’m waiting for them to evacuate,” Cia Sandell, 42, said.

“This is crazy, totally crazy. I’m angry, I’m shocked. This shouldn’t happen,” she said.

– with Agence France-Presse (AFP)