logo
Young men were getting a haircut ahead of a festival - then they were shot dead

Young men were getting a haircut ahead of a festival - then they were shot dead

Yahoo04-05-2025

Ahead of Sweden's Walpurgis festival to mark the start of spring, young people were busy selecting outfits or getting their hair done. Not all of them made it there alive.
At a hair salon in Uppsala, a city north of Stockholm, three young men who police say were aged between 15 and 20 were shot dead on Tuesday before the celebrations started.
The horror left many shaken in the build-up to the festival, known as Valborg in Swedish, which is typically a convivial affair each 30 April on the eve of the Christian feast day of Saint Walpurga. Celebrated nationwide, Uppsala hosts the country's largest and most high-profile Walpurgis events, popular with students.
The partying did go ahead in full swing, but a subtle heaviness hung over the Swedish blue and yellow flags which fluttered around the city.
And now, with the festival finished, it's only police tape - not flags - fluttering outside the basement barber shop where the shooting took place close to Vaksala Square.
"It's really sad," says 20-year-old student Yamen Alchoum, who is in the area to eat at a nearby food truck. He says he was at another barber shop on the night of the shootings, but previously had his hair cut at this salon multiple times. "I think if I was there [on Tuesday]…I would be, like, involved in the shooting. And it's a bit scary."
According to witnesses speaking to Swedish media TV4 and Aftonbladet, two of the young victims were dressed in barber capes and sat in parlour chairs when they were shot in the head just after 5pm on Tuesday.
The city centre was busy at the time as commuters made their way to the nearby train station and students from the city's prestigious university cycled back to their flats.
Witnesses reported hearing loud bangs which many mistook for fireworks. Minutes later several police cars and an ambulance arrived, blocking the street and forcing a bus to turn around. Helicopters and drones were dispatched to try and track down the suspect. Local media reported that he had worn a mask and used an electric scooter to get away from the scene.
"I heard the helicopters, so then I knew that something had happened," says Sara, a 32-year-old who lives on the street. She says her phone quickly lit up with news notifications and texts from friends asking if she was okay.
Around two hours after the shootings, police arrested a 16-year-old boy. In Sweden, suspects can be held based on different levels of suspicion, and the teenager was initially held at the second-highest level, indicating strong suspicion.
However, by Friday, prosecutors said the case against him had weakened and he was released.
On Saturday, Swedish police confirmed that six people have now been arrested in connection with the case. The suspects range in age from under 18 to 45, according to the state prosecutor's office, and one is suspected of carrying out the killings.
People intending to visit Uppsala for the Walpurgis festival were advised not to change their plans, as police promised extra resources on the cathedral city's streets and suggested the shooting was likely an "isolated incident".
While many were shaken, tens of thousands of Swedes still heeded their advice, packing the banks of Uppsala's Fyris river to watch the annual student raft race, drinking in the city's pubs and parks or heading to a huge public bonfire in the evening. Others joined the annual spring ceremony outside the university where current and former students gathered to wave white caps.
"I don't really feel so scared," says Alvin Rose, 19, a social studies student, having a snack in Vaksala Square, just around the corner from where the shootings happened. "It feels like there's more security, more cops about."
His friend Kassandra Fritz, an 18-year-old natural sciences student, says she has driven to Uppsala from her home in Gävle, two hours north, to "have fun and meet new people".
She reflects that she no longer has a "strong" reaction to news about shootings in Sweden since they are frequently in the headlines. "There's been so many shootings lately, not only here in Uppsala but like, everywhere in Sweden."
Over the past decade, Sweden has emerged as a European hotspot for gun crime, often linked to criminal networks. Research for Sweden's National Council for Crime Prevention released last year concluded that the profile of perpetrators is "increasingly younger", with growing numbers of teenagers both carrying out or dying from gun violence.
Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson was on a work trip to Valencia when the Uppsala shooting took place, but has since described it as "an extremely violent act".
"This underlines that the wave of violence is not over - it continues," he said in an interview with Swedish news agency TT on Wednesday.
At a news conference the day after, officers said they were investigating the possibility that the deaths were linked to gang crime, but said it was too soon to confirm this.
Police in various Swedish cities have previously said it is becoming more common for gangs to contract vulnerable children to carry out crimes, because those who are 15 or younger are below the age of criminal responsibility in Sweden.
Sweden's government recently proposed controversial new legislation that would allow police to wiretap children, in an attempt to prevent them from being recruited to teenage gangs.
Ministers have also said they want to tighten the country's gun laws.
In February, 10 people were killed in the country's worst mass shooting at an adult education centre in the Swedish town of Orebro. In this case, police suspect a 35-year-old was behind the killings. He legally owned a weapon, and was found dead inside the building.
Outside the hair salon in Uppsala, 20-year-old Yamen says he has never been involved in gang crime but knows plenty of others who have.
"Many times in my school, there was gang violence, and in the streets - dealers," he says. "But my personality was to work, study, and now I am in college."
As he leaves to meet friends, a steady stream of young people continue to stop at the street corner next to the hairdressers, some bringing bouquets of flowers. Several appear visibly shaken and have tears in their eyes.
"I knew him very well," says Elias, a 16-year-old who says he was friends with one of the victims, and has asked the BBC not to share his surname. "It feels unreal, you know. It doesn't feel like I've truly accepted the situation."
Spread of gang violence wrecks Sweden's peaceful image
Teenage guns for hire: Swedish gangs targeting Israeli interests
Sweden plans to remove citizenship from people seen as threat to state

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Former Christian music star admits drug-fueled 'double life'
Former Christian music star admits drug-fueled 'double life'

Fox News

time2 hours ago

  • Fox News

Former Christian music star admits drug-fueled 'double life'

A man known for singing Christian music responded to allegations of substance abuse and sexual assault of other men, saying they are "largely true." Michael Tait, formerly of the bands Newsboys and DC Talk, took to Instagram on Tuesday to post what he called, "My confession." "Recent reports of my reckless and destructive behavior, including drug and alcohol abuse and sexual activity are sadly, largely true," Tait wrote. "For some two decades I used and abused cocaine, consumed far too much alcohol, and, at times, touched men in an unwanted sensual way." "I am ashamed of my life choices and actions, and make no excuses for them. I will simply call it what God calls it-sin," he said. The singer went on to say that he left Newsboys in January to "get help." Tait's words came nearly a week after a report from Christian investigative journalism outlet The Roys Report (TRR) with accusations dating back to 2004. TRR says their investigation into Tait lasted 2.5 years and included interviews with "more than 50 sources." Two men said while they were 22 years old, Tait allegedly fondled their genitals after they had drunk alcohol with him. Tait's former band posted their own statement on social media on June 5, saying the four members' "hearts were shattered" when they read the allegations. "First and foremost, our hearts are with the victims who have bravely shared their stories. If you are a victim, we urge you to come forward. We absolutely do not condone any form of sexual assault," Newsboys wrote on Facebook. "When he left the band in January, Michael confessed to us and our management that he 'had been living a double-life' but we never imagined that it could be this bad," Newsboys said. Tait, 59, joined Newsboys in 2009. Prior to that, he was the lead singer for Christian rap trio DC Talk, according to the New York Post.

Christian Music Star Michael Tait Breaks Silence On Sexual Abuse Allegation
Christian Music Star Michael Tait Breaks Silence On Sexual Abuse Allegation

Yahoo

time3 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Christian Music Star Michael Tait Breaks Silence On Sexual Abuse Allegation

Wondering why Michael Tait is making headlines across the Christian music world? The former Newsboys frontman recently admitted to serious misconduct. A years-long investigation had revealed allegations of drug abuse and sexual assault. Michael Tait's 'confession' followed a detailed report involving multiple alleged victims. Here's what we know about the allegations and Michael Tait's 'confession.' On June 10, Michael Tait shared a post on Instagram titled 'My Confession.' He admitted to drug use and unwanted sexual advances on men. His statement followed the release of an investigative article by The Roys Report, which accused Tait of misconduct over a span of two decades. Tait wrote, 'Recent reports of my reckless and destructive behavior, including drug and alcohol abuse and sexual activity are sadly, largely true.' In the post, Tait confessed, 'For some two decades I used and abused cocaine, consumed far too much alcohol, and, at times, touched men in an unwanted sensual way.' He said he made no excuses, adding, 'While I might dispute certain details in the accusations against me, I do not dispute the substance of them.' He also acknowledged, 'I was, for the most part, living two distinctly different lives.' Tait left Newsboys abruptly in January 2025. On June 4, The Roys Report revealed three men accused Tait of assault during tours in 2004, 2010, and 2014. Two said he fondled them after drinking. One alleged non-consensual touching after Tait invited him to share a bed. Newsboys responded in a June 5 statement, writing, 'We are horrified, heartbroken, and angry… we feel as if we and our families have been deceived for the last fifteen years.' K-LOVE and other Christian radio networks paused airplay for Newsboys and DC Talk music after the story broke. Tait wrote that he had entered a treatment facility in Utah earlier this year and had been sober since. 'I accept the consequences of my sin and am committed to continuing the hard work of repentance and healing,' he stated. He concluded by apologizing to those hurt by his actions. Originally reported by Vritti Johar on The post Christian Music Star Michael Tait Breaks Silence On Sexual Abuse Allegation appeared first on Mandatory.

Former Newsboys Singer Michael Tait's Instagram ‘Confession' Explained
Former Newsboys Singer Michael Tait's Instagram ‘Confession' Explained

Yahoo

time4 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Former Newsboys Singer Michael Tait's Instagram ‘Confession' Explained

Wondering why Michael Tait is making headlines across the Christian music world? The former Newsboys frontman recently admitted to serious misconduct. A years-long investigation had revealed allegations of drug abuse and sexual assault. Michael Tait's 'confession' followed a detailed report involving multiple alleged victims. Here's what we know about the allegations and Michael Tait's 'confession.' On June 10, Michael Tait shared a post on Instagram titled 'My Confession.' He admitted to drug use and unwanted sexual advances on men. His statement followed the release of an investigative article by The Roys Report, which accused Tait of misconduct over a span of two decades. Tait wrote, 'Recent reports of my reckless and destructive behavior, including drug and alcohol abuse and sexual activity are sadly, largely true.' In the post, Tait confessed, 'For some two decades I used and abused cocaine, consumed far too much alcohol, and, at times, touched men in an unwanted sensual way.' He said he made no excuses, adding, 'While I might dispute certain details in the accusations against me, I do not dispute the substance of them.' He also acknowledged, 'I was, for the most part, living two distinctly different lives.' Tait left Newsboys abruptly in January 2025. On June 4, The Roys Report revealed three men accused Tait of assault during tours in 2004, 2010, and 2014. Two said he fondled them after drinking. One alleged non-consensual touching after Tait invited him to share a bed. Newsboys responded in a June 5 statement, writing, 'We are horrified, heartbroken, and angry… we feel as if we and our families have been deceived for the last fifteen years.' K-LOVE and other Christian radio networks paused airplay for Newsboys and DC Talk music after the story broke. Tait wrote that he had entered a treatment facility in Utah earlier this year and had been sober since. 'I accept the consequences of my sin and am committed to continuing the hard work of repentance and healing,' he stated. He concluded by apologizing to those hurt by his actions. The post Former Newsboys Singer Michael Tait's Instagram 'Confession' Explained appeared first on - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store