Uppsala, Sweden – A deadly shooting at a hair salon in central Uppsala has left three people dead, prompting a large-scale police operation and raising fresh concerns about gang-related violence in Sweden.
The incident occurred on Tuesday evening, just hours before the city was set to host the traditional Walpurgis spring festival, a major celebration that attracts thousands of people each year.
According to Swedish authorities, the shooting took place near Vaksala Square in a busy part of the city. Eyewitnesses described hearing multiple gunshots in quick succession. “Everything happened so fast. It just went bang, bang, bang,” one witness told Swedish broadcaster TV4.
Another resident, who lives close to the scene, said he initially mistook the sounds for fireworks. “I was cooking dinner when I heard two bangs that sounded like fireworks. But then I looked outside and saw police everywhere. It was very frightening,” he said.
The gunman reportedly fled the scene on a scooter and remains at large. Police have launched a murder investigation and cordoned off a large section of the city center. A helicopter was deployed to assist in the manhunt, and train services in the area were temporarily suspended to prevent the suspect from fleeing.
Magnus Jansson Klarin, a spokesperson for Uppsala police, confirmed that a door-to-door search for witnesses is underway. “We are working intensively to find the perpetrator. There is a high police presence in the city, and we are appealing to anyone who may have seen or heard anything to come forward,” he said.
One of the three victims was reportedly under investigation for a suspected plot targeting a relative of a known gang leader, according to Swedish public broadcaster SVT. This has led authorities to suspect a possible gang-related motive behind the attack.
Swedish Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer condemned the attack, calling it a “brutal act of violence” during an interview with TV4. He added that the government remains committed to tightening gun control laws to address the country’s rising rate of shootings and organized crime.
In a statement released on their official website, the Swedish police acknowledged the growing public concern, especially with large crowds expected for Walpurgis celebrations. However, they emphasized that their initial assessment indicates the shooting was an “isolated incident” and stated there is “no danger to the public.”
Sweden has seen a troubling rise in gun violence in recent years, much of it linked to gang activity. In February, a mass shooting at an adult education center in Örebro left 10 people dead, sparking national debate over how to tackle organized crime and firearm proliferation.
As Uppsala prepares for one of its most festive annual events, the city now finds itself gripped by fear and mourning. Authorities continue to urge calm and remain on high alert as the investigation into the triple homicide unfolds.