OREBRO, Sweden – A decade after fleeing the Islamic State and war-torn Syria in search of a safer future in Sweden, 29-year-old Salim Iskef was tragically shot and killed this week in the deadliest mass shooting in the country’s history.
Iskef was among ten people murdered at an adult education center in Örebro by the gunman, identified by Reuters and Swedish media as Rickard Andersson, who later took his own life.
Authorities have confirmed that the victims came from diverse backgrounds in terms of age, gender, and nationality, though they have yet to release the full list of names.
The attack occurred at the Risbergska adult education center, which provides courses for adults and Swedish language classes for immigrants.
Iskef, a member of Örebro’s 5,000-strong Christian Assyrian community, had been preparing for his wedding this summer and had recently purchased a home with his fiancée.
“He had so many beautiful plans and so many beautiful dreams,” said Jacob Kaselia, a family friend and priest at St. Mary’s Church in Örebro, who led a memorial service attended by around 400 people. “All gone in a second.”
After being shot, Iskef managed to call his mother and fiancée to say he loved them—his final words to them.
“His fiancée is completely devastated,” Kaselia said. “We are trying to support her, but it is incredibly difficult.”
The shooting has sent shockwaves across Sweden. While the country has faced issues with gang-related violence, a school shooting of this magnitude is unprecedented.
“February 4 will forever be remembered as a dark day in Swedish history,” Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said in a statement on Wednesday. “Together, we must support the injured and their loved ones in their grief.”
While the full list of victims has not been disclosed, it is clear that several members of the Assyrian community were among those affected.
Merwa, a close friend of Iskef who attended school with him daily, was fired at by the shooter but emerged unscathed. She used her friend’s scarf to try to stop the bleeding of another victim who was shot in front of her.
“We are still in shock. We never imagined this could happen in Sweden, let alone at school,” she told Reuters, adding that she does not think she will return to class. “I really don’t think so,” she said.
As of Thursday, police have yet to determine a motive for the attack, finding no manifesto or indication of ideological intent.
“Why did he do this? What was going through his mind? We don’t know,” said Kaselia. “I feel sorry for him. We must pray that the Lord forgives him.”
