A mass shooting in the city of Orebro, Sweden, has left a trail of death and devastation, with 10 people killed, including a migrant who was meant to marry his fiancée. The attack has sent shockwaves through the community, with many migrants feeling vulnerable and unwelcome in their adopted country.
The shooter, identified as Rickard Andersson, 35, targeted an adult education center where migrants were taking language classes. The center, known as Campus Risbergska, had become a crucial platform for immigrants to learn Swedish and integrate into society.
Salim Iskef, 28, a Syrian migrant who was meant to marry his fiancée in July, was killed in the attack. His story highlights the challenges faced by many migrants in Sweden, who are struggling to find their place in a country that has become increasingly hostile towards them.
The shooting has exposed deep-seated fears among immigrant communities in Sweden, who feel that they are no longer welcome in society. Many have fled wars and persecution in their home countries, only to face rejection and hostility in their new homeland.
The Swedish government has responded to the attack by announcing plans to tighten gun laws and make it more difficult for people to access semiautomatic weapons. However, many migrants and asylum seekers are skeptical about these measures, arguing that they do not address the root causes of the problem.
“We have to allow fear to become part of that discussion,” said Christer Mattsson, director of the Segerstedt Institute, which studies violence spurred by prejudice. The attack has sparked debates about gun violence and gang wars fueled by the drug trade, but many migrants are concerned that these issues will be ignored in favor of scapegoating immigrants.
The Swedish Network of Refugee Support Groups has reported an increase in anxiety and fear among migrant communities, with many feeling that they are being pushed out of society. “The parties say they want integration, but their policies are pushing to make integration impossible,” said Michael Williams, a board member of the group.
As Sweden grapples with the aftermath of this devastating attack, it is clear that the country’s treatment of its migrant community needs urgent attention. The government must take concrete steps to address the root causes of fear and hostility towards immigrants, rather than simply tightening laws that may only serve to further marginalize them.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/07/world/europe/sweden-gun-laws.html