STOCKHOLM: 3 people were killed overnight in separate incidents in Sweden as deadly violence linked to a feud between criminal gangs escalated.
On Wednesday night, a tragic incident unfolded in a Stockholm suburb as an 18-year-old young man lost his life to a gunshot. As the night wore on, another distressing event occurred just hours later in Jordbro, a southern suburb of the Swedish capital, where one person lost their life, and another sustained injuries in a shooting incident.
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On a somber Thursday morning, a tragic incident unfolded in Uppsala, situated to the west of the vibrant city of Stockholm. A young woman in her twenties lost her life in a devastating explosion that shook the community. This heartbreaking event has taken a dark turn, as law enforcement authorities are now investigating it as a homicide.
Reports from Swedish media have shed light on a particularly distressing aspect of this tragedy. It appears that the young woman who tragically lost her life may not have been the intended target of this heinous act. Instead, the focus of this horrific incident seems to have been the neighboring house, adding an extra layer of sorrow to this already tragic event. The explosion not only claimed a young life but also left a trail of destruction, damaging five houses in its wake. This unfortunate incident serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the profound impact that senseless acts of violence can have on a community.
Swedish broadcaster SVT noted that the two fatal shootings brings the death toll from gun violence in September to 11, making it the deadliest month for shootings since police started keeping statistics in 2016.
It was not known whether the shootings or the blast were related to each other but Swedish media said at least two of the three events were somehow connected to a feud between criminal gangs, a growing problem in Sweden with drive-by shootings and bombings.
Speaking Thursday on Swedish broadcaster TV4, Swedish Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer said “it is a deeply tragic development. I understand that people feel anger, fear and sadness.”
In Sweden, there is an ongoing conflict between two gangs. One of these groups is led by a person who holds dual Swedish-Turkish citizenship and resides in Turkey, while the other is led by his former right-hand person. Their dispute revolves around control of drugs and weapons.
Law enforcement has taken action by detaining four individuals who are suspected of being involved in a fatal shooting incident in Jordbro. Additionally, two individuals have been apprehended in connection with a powerful explosion in Uppsala, which was so intense that it caused significant damage to the facades of two houses.
Recently, central Sweden experienced two very strong explosions that resulted in injuries to at least three individuals and extensive damage to buildings. The force of these explosions was so great that it sent bricks and shattered window sections flying outside.
To combat gang-related crime, Sweden’s center-right government has been enacting stricter laws. The head of the Swedish police has expressed concern over the unprecedented surge in violence caused by rival gangs in the country.
Earlier this week, Strömmer reiterated that Sweden will increase the penalty from three years to five years for possessing explosives without a permit as of April 1 when new legislation enters into force.
