One year after the mass shooting at Campus Risbergska in Örebro, where ten people were killed, memorial ceremonies are held and police increase their presence. Victims are honored through speeches, music, and reflections on the inexplicable violence, while experts emphasize the need for better mental health management.
On February 4, 2025, Sweden's worst school shooting occurred at Campus Risbergska in Örebro. The perpetrator, Rickard Andersson, a former student, killed ten people before taking his own life around 12:30. The first emergency call came at 12:33, and police conducted one of their largest operations ever, with a preliminary investigation spanning 14,000 pages over 118 days.
One year later, on February 4, 2026, Örebro remembers the victims through various events. Örebro municipality holds a press conference at 09:00 about the year following the incident. At 18:00, a memorial takes place outside Örebro Castle with music, song, dance, and speeches, followed by a concert at 19:30 at the Concert Hall featuring the Swedish Chamber Orchestra and poet Mikael Horvath. Nerikes Allehanda (NA) broadcasts live from several locations and opens its archive of about 500 articles for free access.
Police are increasing their presence in the city due to activities such as government visits and memorial ceremonies, but emphasize there is no threat. "Under onsdagen sker mer aktiviteter där fler samlas i stan, vilket innebär att vi måste finnas där och synas", says press spokesperson Christina Hallin.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson, both with personal ties to Örebro, attended a lunch meeting the day before the anniversary. Kristersson mentioned that his sister-in-law's children were barricaded near the school, and Svantesson described Örebro as a "snäll stad" despite the tragedy. "Det fruktansvärda vansinnesdådet går så djupt in", she said.
Police analysis from May 2025 indicates Andersson's motive stemmed from frustration and isolation, driven by suicidal intent. Regional police chief Patrick Ungsäter warns about mental health: "Ju fler som mår dåligt desto större risk finns det att sådana här ytterligheter kan inträffa." NA's investigation reveals long waiting times in psychiatry, up to two years for young adults.
Personal stories shape the memory. Nursing assistant student Mohammad Muradi drove a shooting victim to Örebro University Hospital and saved his life. Teacher Christine Berg hid with colleagues for two hours and 20 minutes, while her son, police officer Viktor Lleshi, rushed to the scene. "De poliser som klev in först räddade livet på min mamma", he says.
In an NA editorial, politicians are urged to act on prevention: "Frågan måste vara: Hur förhindrar vi att något liknande sker igen?" The anniversary focuses on the sanctity of life, as poet Michael Horvath Dahlman writes: "Låt minnet av offren tala."
