At least five people have been shot at a school in Sweden “with an automatic weapon”.
“Several people” were initially said to be injured at Risbergska School in Orebro, southern Sweden – with police locking down the building and urging the public to stay away.
“Listen to the police officers at the scene,” a police statement read shortly before 12.30 UK time. “The operation concerns threats of deadly violence. The operation is still ongoing.”
A later statement confirmed: “There has been a shooting at the school. Four people have been shot. The extent of the injuries is unclear. The operation is still ongoing.
Footage from the scene shows a number of armed police and emergency services amassed outside the school
AFTONBLADET
‘The operation concerns threats of deadly violence. The operation is still ongoing,’ a police statement said
REUTERS
“The charges are currently attempted murder, arson and an aggravated weapons offence.”
That number has since been raised to five – while police also denied local reports that officers had been shot.
Footage from the scene shows a number of armed police and emergency services amassed outside the junior part of the school – with some people thought to still be inside.
The shooting took place in a campus area which includes several schools for both children and adults.
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‘The operation concerns threats of deadly violence,’ police said
GB NEWS
PICTURED: An officer unrolls police tape as major police operation unfolds at Risbergska School
REUTERS
Some pupils are being held in nearby schools near to the affected area as well as Risbergska School itself “for security purposes”, police confirmed.
“We can’t go out, it’s dangerous for us. We’ve heard several shots outside,” one person told Swedish outlet Aftonbladet.
Another, said to be a friend of a teacher at the school, said he received a text saying “that there was shooting with automatic weapons at the school and that they had taken shelter in a room”.
“Then he wrote that he loved me,” they told the newspaper.
Sweden’s justice minister Gunnar Strommer said ‘the information about violent acts in Orebro is very serious’
REUTERS
Sweden’s justice minister Gunnar Strommer later said: “The information about violent acts in Orebro is very serious. The police are on site and the operation is in full swing.
“The government is in close contact with the police and is following developments closely.”
More to follow…