A deadly shooting at a hair salon in central Uppsala a city 70 km north of Stockholm left three people dead and several injured on Tuesday marking the latest episode of gun violence in Sweden.

The attack which occurred near Vaksala Square has prompted a large-scale police operation as authorities hunt for the perpetrator.

Eyewitnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots, with some describing five loud bangs, prompting immediate calls to police. Officers arrived swiftly rescuing the injured and rushing them to hospitals.

Swedish broadcaster SVT reported that a masked suspect fled the scene on an electric scooter, a detail confirmed by police, who believe the individual may be the shooter.

A 16-year-old detained early Wednesday on suspicion of murder with prosecutors noting the detention is at highest evidence level.

Victims, aged 15–20 have not yet been identified and police have withheld further details pending family notifications. While the motive remains unclear, authorities are intensively investigating potential gang connections, given Uppsala’s history of gang-related violence.

Swedish media suggested one victim may have been linked to a plot targeting a relative of gang leader Ismail Abdo. Though police have not confirmed this.

The shooting described as a “brutal act of violence” by Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer, occurred on the eve of Uppsala’s Valborg festival, which draws over 100,000 visitors.

Despite the timing, police labeled the incident “isolated” and assured no ongoing public threat. Train services briefly halted during the initial response but have resumed.

Uppsala Mayor Erik Pelling expressed shock, noting the city’s struggle with gang violence, often perpetrated by young individuals. Sweden has faced a surge in such incidents, with 296 shootings reported in 2024, down 20% from the previous year. The country’s legal system, where 15 is the age of criminal responsibility, complicates efforts to curb youth involvement in gangs.

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Police continue door-to-door inquiries and are appealing for public assistance. The investigation, classified as a homicide, is ongoing, with no confirmed links to terrorism or hate crimes at this stage.