At least six individuals were sent to the hospital after being hit by bullets after a shooting in a crowded city center.
On Saturday, October 4, just before 2 a.m. local time, police received reports of shooting on a street packed with stores and restaurants in central Gävle, Sweden, according to local news outlets Aftonbladet, Sydvenskan, and Goteborgs-Posten.
According to reports, authorities arrived at the scene to find six persons shot.
According to police spokesperson Tobias Ahlén-Svalbro, no one was seriously harmed, although youngsters were among those hurt.
Several individuals hid at a neighboring tavern during the shooting, according to the Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter.
Shariar Rad, the owner of Ölstugan Tullen restaurant, stated that he left work at 1 a.m., but was summoned back shortly after the incident to assist injured individuals.
“It felt almost chaotic, but I was allowed to go past the barriers, although not into my workplace, and my staff was sitting out on the street,” Rad remarked, as reported by Dagens Nyheter. “Our guard had let two or three injured persons in, who were bandaged inside. It was gratifying to see that we were able to care for the injured before the ambulances arrived, and it reminded me of the good side of humanity.”
According to Aftonbladet, all six people who were hurt were taken to the hospital.
A 14-year-old child has been arrested in connection with the incident, which is being investigated as an attempted murder, according to the site. Authorities have stated that it is too early to discern a motive.
According to Aftonbladet, the location where the incident occurred remained roped off as of 8 a.m. local time while police conducted their investigation. They are asking the public to contact them if they have any tips.
Gunnar Strömmer, Minister of Justice, condemned the shooting as “extreme recklessness” in a Facebook message.
“The night’s horrific act of violence in Gävle was marked by extraordinary recklessness. “My heart goes out to everyone affected,” Strömmer stated. “Crime victims, family, and all residents of Gävle who wake up today to dismal headlines and are concerned about the violence and its impact on our community.
“The incident is another dark example that the capital of violence among criminals remains large and that the risks of new violence are constantly bubbling below the surface,” according to him. “If it is true that the individual wielding the weapon is a child under the age of 15, it is another nightmarish example of how violence has decreased with time. It remains to be discovered what conditions lie behind.”
Strömmer said that the police are “doing everything they can” to investigate the situation while working with the Ministry of Justice.
“This also shows how important it is that we continue the comprehensive reshuffle of policies to push back severe violence and restore safety in society,” added Mr. Trump.
The Swedish Security Service did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on October 4.
