Police say no reason for public to worry after shooting in Sweden’s third biggest city

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

Five people were wounded in a shooting in Sweden’s third biggest city Malmö but their condition was unknown, police said.

The incident happened just after 8pm on Monday night, the Swedish news agency TT said, quoting the city’s police department as saying: “There is no reason for the public to worry.”

Witnesses told newspaper Aftonbladet they heard what sounded like 15 to 20 shots in the city centre. Aftonbladet reported that the shootings took place next to a police station and that officers were on the scene immediately.

A witness, Jonatan Burhoff, told the newspaper he saw wounded people being carried to private cars that drove off “as fast as possible”.

Police spokesman Stephan Soderholm said: “We have sealed off the area and are conducting interviews and will interview those who are injured if they can or are willing to speak.”

Police said security at a hospital had been stepped up after the reports of gunfire. A statement said officers had information that “one person had been taken to hospital in a private car”.

Police did not give a motive for the shooting, but said the incident was not terrorism related. Suburban feuds between criminal gangs fighting over territory have taken place in major Swedish cities in recent years.