The police were alerted to loud bangs near Vaksala Square shortly after 5 pm on Tuesday – a few blocks away from the train station and the shopping center Kvarnen, where many people are in motion at that time of day.
We found three deceased persons on the scene. They have not been identified, so no relatives have been informed, says police spokesperson Maria Hall to TT.
The police do not want to comment on the gender or age of the murder victims until they have been identified.
Among the residents in the surrounding area, the mood is subdued during the evening. The area where the incident occurred is described as calm and considered safe by the residents.
It's so uncomfortable when it happens so close, says a woman who lives a few blocks away from the crime scene, to TT's reporter on the scene.
Gathering witness statements
TT's photographer reports that it was quiet at the cordon at 8:30 pm. A few curious onlookers had gathered, witnesses were being interviewed, and police cars were scattered around the cordoned-off area.
Most witness statements have been collected during the evening.
We have information about a person on an electric bicycle who left the scene, if anyone has information about this, please contact us. But it should be said that it is unclear what connection this person has to the incident, says Maria Hall.
A helicopter has participated in the search for the perpetrator or perpetrators. The police have also conducted door-to-door inquiries in the area during the evening and initiated a special event due to the fatal shootings to free up resources.
On the street outside the hair salon where the shooting took place, something lies on the ground – according to TT's photographer, it looks like cartridges.
We have been there and documented the crime scene, says Hall, who does not want to confirm any potential finds.
Strömmer: Extremely serious
Several police officers were already on site in the city ahead of Wednesday's Walpurgis Night celebrations, police officers who are now also working to create a sense of security.
We also have Walpurgis Night in Uppsala – preparations for Walpurgis, it's a big day for the people of Uppsala, says police spokesperson Magnus Jansson Klarin to TT, highlighting that they expect many people to be in motion in the city.
Based on what has emerged so far, the police assessment is that it is an isolated incident and therefore does not pose a threat to the general public.
Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer (M) states in a written statement to TT that a "brutal act of violence has occurred in central Uppsala".
"What has happened is extremely serious. The police are on the scene and an intensive investigation is underway. The Ministry of Justice is in close contact with the police and is closely following the development of the situation", he writes.
