World
Örebro Risbergska School shooting suspect identified as 35-year-old Rickard Andersson
ÖREBRO, SWEDEN — The suspect in Sweden’s worst mass shooting, which left ten people dead at Campus Risbergska in Örebro, has been identified as 35-year-old Rickard Andersson.
Authorities confirmed that Andersson took his own life shortly after the attack.
Details about Andersson’s background are beginning to emerge as investigators search for answers to the central question: Why?
According to a close family member, Andersson showed signs of withdrawal during his final years in elementary school.
Classmates reportedly nicknamed him “Luvan” due to his habit of frequently wearing a hood and covering his face with his hand.
“He didn’t seem to have any friends at all,” the relative said, reflecting on Andersson’s isolated adult life.
On Tuesday, Andersson is believed to have entered Campus Risbergska, an adult education center in Örebro, and opened fire, resulting in ten fatalities.
After carrying out the attack, he is suspected of having turned the gun on himself, ending his own life.
Campus Risbergska serves a diverse student population, including many adult learners and immigrants, offering courses in vocational training, Swedish language instruction, and programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Swedish authorities have launched an extensive investigation to uncover Andersson’s motives, which remain unclear.
Officials have not disclosed whether he had any connection to the school or the victims.
“This is a dark day for Sweden,” said Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, who described the massacre as an unprecedented act of violence in the country’s history.
Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer confirmed that Andersson was not known to police prior to the attack, and investigators are working to determine whether he acted alone or had any affiliations that might have influenced the shooting.
The shooting has left the Örebro community—and the entire nation—in shock. Memorials and vigils are being organized, as grief-stricken families, friends, and classmates mourn the lives lost in the tragedy.
Authorities are urging anyone with information related to the case to come forward as they continue to piece together the timeline of events leading up to the attack. Additional updates will be provided as the investigation develops.
GUAYAQUIL, ECUADOR — A powerful car bomb detonated near Mall del Sol in Guayaquil resulting in multiple fatalities and numerous injuries, according to local authorities.
The blast, which sent shockwaves across the bustling commercial district, is being investigated as a possible terror or organized crime-related attack amid Ecuador’s ongoing struggle with rising gang violence.
The explosion occurred near one of the main entrances of Mall del Sol, one of Guayaquil’s largest and busiest shopping centers, located in the north of the city.
Witnesses described a scene of chaos and destruction as a vehicle parked along the roadside suddenly erupted into flames, sending a massive fireball and thick black smoke into the air.
Surveillance footage and videos shared on social media captured the moment of the detonation, showing debris flying across the street as nearby cars were engulfed by the blast.
Several storefronts and vehicles in the vicinity were heavily damaged, and windows shattered across multiple nearby buildings.
Initial reports from emergency responders indicate that several people were killed, and multiple others sustained serious injuries.
The exact number of casualties has not yet been officially confirmed as rescue operations continue.
Firefighters, police, and medical teams quickly arrived at the scene, cordoning off the area and extinguishing the burning vehicles. Paramedics transported the injured to nearby hospitals, while authorities evacuated the surrounding area to ensure public safety.
Officials from Ecuador’s National Police and Armed Forces have launched an immediate investigation into the attack. Early indications suggest that explosives were deliberately placed inside a parked vehicle, though authorities have not yet disclosed details about the type of device used or any possible suspects.
The Attorney General’s Office and anti-terrorism units are leading the forensic examination of the blast site. Authorities have increased security across Guayaquil and other major Ecuadorian cities, fearing possible coordinated attacks.
Ecuador’s Minister of the Interior condemned the attack, calling it a “cowardly act of violence intended to spread fear among citizens.” The government pledged to bring those responsible to justice and reaffirmed its commitment to restoring security amid escalating gang-related violence in the region.
Residents are urged to avoid the Mall del Sol area as the investigation remains active.
Further updates are expected as officials release more information on the number of victims and the circumstances leading up to the explosion.