12-Year-Old Boy Detained for Fatal Shooting in Oxie; Youth Crime Sparks National Debate

On the evening of December 12, a violent shooting incident in Oxie led to the death of a 21-year-old man who had recently been released from prison for robbery. The man was shot multiple times in a car and later died at the hospital. Witnesses fled the scene, abandoning the vehicle and escaping into Malmö. In a rare development, a 12-year-old boy contacted the police hours after the incident, admitting involvement and was taken into custody near Helsingborg with the assistance of local social services. Authorities confirmed that the boy is not from Skåne and had escaped from a care home just two days before the shooting.

The police are actively investigating the broader circumstances, including whether others were involved. Charges of murder and attempted murder are under consideration. Malmö police spokesperson Nils Norling expressed skepticism that such a young child could have orchestrated this violent crime alone. Rasem Chebil of Malmö police highlighted a concerning pattern of young individuals being recruited into violent criminal acts, describing it as "crime-as-a-service" and emphasizing the critical need for early intervention in youth lives.

Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer commented on the case, strongly condemning the shooting. He advocated for reforms, articulating interest in lowering the age of criminal responsibility but clarifying that children younger than 13 would not be included in any changes. This case has reignited national discussions about youth crime, the role of social services, and legal accountability for minors.

In a separate but somber incident last week, a teenage girl was found lifeless in Luleå and declared dead at the hospital. A man has been arrested on suspicion of causing the death, adding to growing public concern about violent crimes affecting youths and by youths.

These recent events have sparked a wider debate across Sweden about how to address violence involving children, and the complex challenges in balancing criminal justice responses with social interventions to prevent the recruitment of minors into crime.