1 dead, another injured in shooting near mosque in Sweden

ISTANBUL

A 25-year-old man was killed and another person injured in a shooting near a mosque in the southern Swedish city of Orebro on Friday, police said on Friday.

The shooting occurred shortly after Friday prayers at the Orebro Mosque in the Boglundsangen area, where several shots were reportedly fired as worshippers were leaving.

Police said they were alerted to the incident at around 1.45 pm local time (1145GMT). Two people were injured, and by 5.30 pm one of them, a man in his twenties, had died.

Authorities have launched a preliminary investigation into murder, attempted murder, and aggravated weapons offenses.

They said the attack is believed to be connected to “the criminal network environment” and is being treated as gang-related.

“The perpetrator is still at large. We are fully hunting the perpetrator right now,” police spokesperson Anders Dahlman told reporters, adding that officers are conducting extensive investigative work, including witness interviews and intelligence gathering.

In a statement, the mosque said it was not the target of the attack and urged members to remain at home for the evening while police investigations continued.

Tahir Akan, president of the Swedish Islamic Federation, told Anadolu that the shooting was not motivated by “racism” or directed at the mosque or its congregation.

He said the perpetrator had a “personal dispute” with the two victims and shot them as they left Friday prayers.

“As planned in advance, the attacker shot and injured the two people he had a dispute with. Since there was a doctor among the congregation, the first intervention was carried out on the spot. I was informed that one of the injured is in serious condition, while the other sustained minor injuries,” Akan said earlier in the day, before police confirmed one had died.

The area remains cordoned off, with several rescue units, police officers, and ambulances deployed.

Authorities have urged the public to avoid the vicinity and comply with roadblocks.