Stockholm witnessed a horrific event when a 39-year-old Polish man was fatally shot after confronting a group of youths, an incident observed by his 12-year-old son. The tragedy unfolded in the Skarholmen district, a neighborhood already shaken by recent violence, as the man and his son were on their way to a local swimming pool.
According to eyewitnesses, the confrontation occurred in a tunnel beneath a viaduct where the man exchanged words with the teenagers before a fatal shot was fired. Swedish newspapers, Aftonbladet and Expressen, report that the victim had previously contacted police regarding youth groups involved in drug trafficking, reflecting his commitment to civic duty and a safer environment for his son.
The man’s brother-in-law confirmed his identity, sharing with the media that the family is going through a profoundly difficult time. As the news spread, the community has been paying their respects at the site of the shooting, laying flowers and lighting candles.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Jimmie Akesson, leader of the Swedish Democrats, have both made public statements in the wake of the incident. Kristersson has vowed to fight back against gang violence, stressing resilience and courage, while Akesson criticized current measures and declared the need for a more forceful approach against gang members.
The local police have yet to comment on the motives behind the shooting, and no arrests have been made. The incident adds to a series of shootings in Skarholmen since early March, which saw another individual killed and one more wounded.