In the early hours of February 4, 2025, tragedy struck in Örebro, Sweden, when Salim Karim Iskef, a 28-year-old nursing student, made a heartbreaking video call to his fiancée, Kareen Alia. Bleeding and wounded, he managed to tell her he loved her one last time before succumbing to his injuries. This devastating moment came during what is now considered Sweden’s deadliest mass shooting, which left ten people dead, including the gunman.
- Salim Iskef died in Sweden's deadliest shooting.
- He video-called fiancée before succumbing to injuries.
- The shooter may have had ties to the school.
- Iskef's family fled Syria due to civil war.
- Sweden plans to tighten gun ownership laws.
- Authorities found no clear motive for the shooting.
The scene unfolded at Campus Risbergska, an adult education center where Iskef was pursuing his dream of becoming a nurse. Just that Tuesday, a gunman opened fire using a rifle-like weapon in a shocking act of violence that would change lives forever. Witnesses recalled the chaos and confusion as the shooter unleashed a torrent of gunfire against unsuspecting students and faculty. Just hours after the massacre, while the news of the shooting traversed social media and news platforms alike, the grim reality set in for families and friends of those present at the school.
Kareen, desperate to connect after their final call ended abruptly, tried reaching out again, only to discover that Iskef had died from his injuries. He had expressed worries about his mother and Kareen’s well-being in that fleeting moment, adding a layer of heartbreak to an already tragic narrative. The couple was looking forward to starting a new chapter in their lives, having recently purchased a home and planned to marry in a few months. “He had all of these dreams in his heart. Now, unfortunately, all of these dreams are gone,” lamented Father Jacob Kasselia, the priest of their local Orthodox Christian church.
As news coverage expanded, family and friends gathered to mourn. Iskef’s sister, Hanan Eskif, openly grieved the loss of a brother who had been her lifelong companion. “We worked together, and we studied together, we went to church together. My whole life was with him, how am I supposed to live without him?” she proclaimed sorrowfully. The family’s memorial service at St. Mary’s Christian Orthodox Church stood as a testament to the emotional toll the incident carried, even as they awaited the return of Salim’s body.
Authorities began piecing together the identity and motive of the shooter. As of now, he has not been officially named, but investigators confirmed he appeared to have connections to the Campus Risbergska and had likely attended classes there in the past. Reports indicate that he was found deceased at the scene alongside a cache of weapons, including three guns and ten empty magazines. It remains unclear whether he took his own life, but the police confirmed they did not return fire.
In the days following the tragedy, at least five survivors were reported, all of whom suffered serious gunshot wounds—a chilling reminder of the attack’s brutality. The investigation is ongoing, and although officials have received numerous tips, a clear motive behind this devastating attack has yet to be discovered. Authorities have disclosed that no prior warnings were evident, and they are examining whether the gunman acted alone, with no links currently suggested to terrorism.
The incident has ignited discussions about gun laws in Sweden. Recent reports noted that the shooter possessed licenses for four weapons, one of which was a type of rifle. Sweden’s laws around gun ownership are typically stringent; for example, prospective gun owners must provide valid reasons for needing a weapon and undergo a thorough licensing process. Following the shooting, there has been talk of even stricter measures on semi-automatic firearms, a proactive shift aiming to prevent further tragedies.
As the investigation continues, the question remains—how does a community recover from such a profound loss? The aftermath has left many asking what measures could prevent another incident like this in the future. With the nation still grappling with the shockwaves from this tragedy, the reverberations of grief spread far beyond Örebro, igniting a broader conversation on safety, mental health, and gun control within Swedish society. The challenges ahead are numerous, but the collective wish remains for healing and a path towards a safer future.
