Kristersson and Strömmer visit, together with police and municipal staff, the street in central Gävle where six people were shot on the night of Saturday. A boy who has just turned 14 years old is suspected of being behind the shooting, which is considered to be gang-related.
Ulf Kristersson describes the act as "completely horrific" and notes that the incident raises many questions. Due to the suspect's young age, he defends the government's policy with tougher measures against children who commit crimes.
I have great respect for social services and have myself worked with social services. But they are neither equipped, trained nor educated to handle 13-year-olds with loaded pistols who are prepared to shoot.
The victims are not believed to have been targets, according to the police. "Extremely dark and brutal", says Strömmer.
The fact that those who have been affected by this violence had nothing to do with the matter also shows that there is a great ruthlessness and recklessness in the criminals' use of violence.
The victims were shot in the lower part of the body and none of them are said to have suffered life-threatening injuries.
They could just as well have been dead if these shots had hit differently. We are so grateful that none of them are, says Kristersson.
