The worst mass shooting in Swedish history leaves the edge for immigrant communities

Police provide some limited information about their investigation. They said that about 130 officers responded to the shooting in total and encountered the school’s “Inferno.” They said they believe the gunman acted alone.

His family, former school friends and neighbors told Swedish media that he may have been a recluse in recent years and suffered from psychological issues.

There have been complaints regarding the handling of the case. Visiting the location of the shooting, Bosnian Ambassador Bojang Sosik learned from the residents that Bosnians are among the dead.

“I think it’s strange that police have chosen to withhold information from their respective embassies that relate to foreign citizens,” he said.

Others, including members of the Syrian community, said they trusted that the police were doing the right thing and wanted to learn sooner. Caselia, a priest of the Syrian Orthodox Church, said the wider community “don’t know what the police are thinking, but they believe they have their own plans.”

Hundreds of people from Syria, Turkey, Iraq and other immigrant communities came to the church in Caselia on Thursday night. A photo of Salim Iskev, one of the victims of the shooting, sat in the easel. The children in the congregation sang hymns. Iskev’s family sat in a pew near the front and was consumed with grief.

Even if you know your motivation, it is difficult to understand why this type of attack occurs. Without it, it’s even more confusing. A few hours before the additional service ceremony began, Caselia was sitting at the empty church pue, trying to understand it.

“Of course people die. They get sick, and it’s just a coincidence,” he said. “But how can we understand this? Being shot at school. We couldn’t dream of this. We can’t even explain it. Why?”

Caselia said there was a sense of comfort that the police were voiced by themselves. It reduced the anxiety of another attack.

“But this man had something, some kind of hatred in his heart, so he came from somewhere,” the priest said. “I can’t say there are no other people around.”

Additional reports by Phelan Chatterjee. Photo by Joel Gunter.