A shooting outside a mosque in central Sweden on Friday left two people injured, with police suspecting the attack was tied to ongoing gang violence. The incident occurred in the city of Örebro in the early afternoon shortly after Friday prayers, according to local authorities. Emergency services responded quickly, and police advised residents to avoid the area while the investigation unfolded.
Authorities have not released specific details about the condition of the injured individuals but confirmed that a preliminary investigation into attempted murder is underway. Officials believe the shooting is connected to local gang conflicts, a problem that has plagued Sweden for years. Police have increased patrols in the area in an effort to prevent further violence and reassure the public.
Örebro, like several other Swedish cities, has faced rising tensions fueled by gang rivalries. According to local news outlet TV4, two rival gangs in the city have been engaged in disputes in recent weeks, heightening the risk of violent confrontations. Investigators are now working to determine whether this latest shooting is a direct result of that feud.
Sweden has struggled with escalating gang-related crime over the past decade, with shootings and bombings becoming more frequent. Many of these gangs recruit teenagers from disadvantaged immigrant neighborhoods, using them to carry out violent attacks. Authorities have warned that such recruitment fuels a cycle of crime that is difficult to break.
The Swedish government has introduced tougher penalties for gang-related offenses and expanded police powers in an effort to combat organized crime. Despite these measures, gang violence remains a persistent threat, particularly in urban areas. The Örebro shooting underscores the challenges facing law enforcement as they try to curb violence and protect communities from further bloodshed.
