Six Injured in Gävle Shooting, Including 17-Year-Old Elsa Shot in Both Legs; 13-Year-Old Suspect Arrested
Six people were injured in a Gävle shooting including 17-year-old Elsa who was shot in both legs; a 13-year-old boy has been arrested and is under investigation for attempted murder and weapons offenses.
- • Six people were injured in a shooting in central Gävle, including 17-year-old Elsa who was shot in both legs.
- • A 13-year-old boy was arrested near the scene, suspected of six counts of attempted murder and serious weapons offenses.
- • None of the victims sustained life-threatening injuries; four remain hospitalized while two were discharged.
- • Police do not suspect terrorism or gang involvement, and investigations are ongoing.
Key details
A shooting in central Gävle late Friday night left six people injured, including 17-year-old Elsa Wiklund, who was struck in both legs. The incident occurred while Elsa and her friends were waiting outside a restaurant when they noticed a person carrying a gun. As they tried to move to safety, the suspect opened fire indiscriminately, hitting all victims in their lower bodies. None of the injuries are life-threatening.
Elsa described the terrifying event, recounting how she initially thought the gun was fake until she saw the blood. She called her mother from the ambulance, describing the surreal nature of the attack. Fortunately, Elsa's injuries were limited to soft tissue damage, and she was discharged from the hospital the following morning, though she faces ongoing pain and limited mobility.
Police arrested a 13-year-old boy near the scene, suspecting him of six counts of attempted murder and serious weapons offenses. Authorities clarified that they do not suspect terrorism and have not linked the suspect to the victims or any gang activity, though the investigation continues. Witnesses described chaotic scenes as people fled, with staff at a nearby restaurant providing immediate aid.
The police have confirmed that four victims remain hospitalized while two have been discharged. No victims were identified as having any criminal involvement. The arrest of such a young suspect has raised critical questions as the investigation proceeds.
Elsa expressed relief that she did not have to witness the full extent of the shooting's aftermath. Meanwhile, authorities continue to gather evidence and conduct interviews to establish the full circumstances of the attack and motive.