Who's Rickard Andersson, the man behind Sweden's most deadly shooting
What's the story
Sweden saw its deadliest mass shooting on February 4, 2025, at Campus Risbergska in Orebro, when a gunman killed 11 people and injured several others.
Media reports have named the suspect as Rickard Andersson, a 35-year-old "loner with extreme social phobia."
Orebro police claimed they had identified the culprit but would "not publish his name yet, due to the investigation."
They were also still investigating the motive.
Shooter profile
Andersson's background and police response
A person who claims to know Andersson described him as a reclusive "loner" who had been unemployed for 10 years and was "having a hard time." He lived alone in Orebro.
Another person who went to the same school with Andersson said he used to stroll around with his hood up and his hand concealing his mouth.
He concluded that his unusual behavior "must have been some form of extreme social phobia."
Description
He doesn't seem to like people much
"Before, he had a friend he spent a lot of time with, but not now. He wants to be on his own. He doesn't seem to like people much," a relative also seemed to confirm the claims that he was a loner.
The Sun, citing Swedish National duty Agency papers, reported that the 35-year-old suspect had tried to enrol in the milirary for years but was denied.
Despite being denied military service, he held a license for four hunting rifles.
Motive analysis
Investigation rules out gang or ideological motives
Investigators have ruled out any connections to gangs or ideological motives in the shooting.
However, some fear that the attack may have had racial elements due to the school's diverse student body.
Andersson allegedly changed into a military uniform before opening fire and may have targeted specific individuals.
He was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound when police arrived at the scene.
National mourning
Prime Minister Kristersson mourns victims
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson called the incident "the worst mass shooting in Sweden's history."
In a display of national mourning, flags were hoisted at half-mast across government buildings and royal palaces to pay tribute to the victims.
According to the Swedish tabloid Aftonbladet, the suspect had registered at the institution but had not attended lessons since 2021.