Around the country, companies, public transport, and authorities stopped. On Stortorget in Örebro, a large crowd gathered for a memorial ceremony with poetry reading, music, and speeches to honor the relatives and those affected.
Hate can kill a person, but never humanity's warmth. Örebro is proof that love outshouts hate, said the chairman of the municipal council, John Johansson, in a speech.
When the church bells rang, the murmur ceased. Politicians stood side by side, including Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and the leader of the Social Democrats, Magdalena Andersson, during the minute of silence.
Some in the audience cried, others breathed deeply with their eyes cast down.
Hoping for unity
One of the visitors to the square was the former municipal councilor Inger Högström-Westerling, who also worked as a sports teacher at Risbergska.
We must honor those who have died, but also show our respect and compassion to all who are affected, she said.
She hopes and believes that the act can lead to unity.
You don't think such things can happen. It happens in the USA and other countries, but never where we would like to perceive as safe Sweden, and safe Örebro.
Police participated
The flags were at half-mast on Tuesday until the minute of silence ended, when they were raised to the top.
Outside Risbergska school, where spontaneous memorial sites have emerged since the act, police gathered to participate in the minute of silence. Also, in other places, both in Örebro and across the country, people fell silent when the clock struck 12 for the national minute of silence.
