Latest news with #Kaselia
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Yahoo
Swedish mass shooting victims include Christians who fled Syria
By Johan Ahlander OREBRO, Sweden (Reuters) -Ten years ago, Salim Iskef fled Syria - where Islamic State militants had killed his father - for Sweden, only to be gunned down this week by an unemployed Swedish man with no apparent ideological motive. The 29-year-old victim was one of several members of Sweden's Syriac-speaking community caught up in Tuesday's attack at an adult education school in Orebro, central Sweden - which left 11 people dead, including the attacker, and many injured. He was due to get married in the summer and had recently bought a house with his fiancée. "He had so many beautiful plans and so many beautiful dreams," Jacob Kaselia, a friend of the family and priest at St. Mary's church in Orebro, told Reuters after leading a memorial service for Iskef in front of about 400 people on Thursday. "All gone in a second." The Syriac-speaking community, a Christian group with roots in the Middle East, has almost 200,000 members in Sweden, of whom 5,000 live in Orebro, the leader of the Syriac centre in Orebro said. Another Syriac speaker was among those hurt and two others told Reuters they were there when the gunman opened fire before apparently turning one of his weapons on himself. Swedish police said people of various ages, genders and nationalities were killed and injured in the shooting, which they described as an 'inferno', but have not yet disclosed all their names. The Risbergska adult education centre, where the attack took place, offers adult courses and Swedish language classes for immigrants. Police are investigating reports the attacker may have been a student at the school at some point. After Iskef was shot, he called his mother and fiancée to tell them that he loved them. That was the last they heard from him. "His fiancée is totally destroyed," said Kaselia. "We try to help her, but honestly, it's very hard." Iskef was from Aleppo in Syria, where the Syriac-speaking minority has been targeted by Islamic State jihadists during the civil war that began in 2011. Sweden, although accustomed to gang violence, has not had school shootings on this scale before. Merwa, who was a close friend of Iskef and went to school with him every day, was shot at by the gunman. She was unharmed and used her friend's scarf to try to stop the bleeding of a man who was shot in front of her. "We're still in shock. We didn't think this could happen in Sweden, and especially in school," she told Reuters, adding it is unlikely that she will go back to school. "I really don't think so," she said. Police said on Thursday they are yet to find a motive for the gunman, identified as Rickard Andersson by Reuters and Swedish media. "Why did he do this? What was in his brain? We don't know," said priest Kaselia. "I feel sorry for him. We must pray that the Lord forgives him."
Reuters
06-02-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Sweden reels from worst mass-shooting as it mourns the dead
OREBRO, Sweden, Feb 6 (Reuters) - Ten years ago Salim Iskef, 29, fled the Islamic State and Syria to form a better, more secure life in Sweden, only to be gunned down this week in the worst mass-shooting in Swedish history. Iskef was one of 10 people in the adult school in Orebro who were killed by the shooter, identified as Rickard Andersson by Reuters and Swedish media, before he turned the gun on himself. Police said people of different ages, genders and nationalities were among the victims but they have not disclosed the names of all the victims yet. The Risbergska adult education centre, where the attack took place, offers adult courses and Swedish language classes for immigrants. Iskef, one of about 5,000 Christian Assyrians in Orebro, was due to get married in the summer and had recently bought a house with his fiancé. "He had so many beautiful plans and so many beautiful dreams," Jacob Kaselia, a friend of the family and priest at St. Mary's church in Orebro, told Reuters after leading a memorial service for Iskef in front of about 400 people. "All gone in a second." After Iskef was shot he called his mother and fiance to tell them that he loved them. That was the last they heard from him. "His fiancé is totally destroyed," said Kaselia. "We try to help her, but honestly, it's very hard." The mass-shooting has rocked the Nordic country. Although accustomed to gang violence, Sweden has not had school shootings on this scale before. "Feb. 4 will forever mark a dark day in Swedish history," Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said in a statement on Wednesday. "Together, we must help the injured and their relatives bear the grief and weight of this day." While the full list of victims is not known, it's already clear that several members of the Assyrian community were among those caught up in the attack. Merwa, who was a close friend of Iskef and went to school with him every day, was shot at by the gunman. She was unharmed and used her friend's scarf to try to stop the bleeding of a man who was shot in front of her. "We're still in shock. We didn't think this could happen in Sweden, and especially in school," she told Reuters, adding it is unlikely that she will go back to school. "I really don't think so," she said. Police said on Thursday they are yet to find a motive for the shooting. They haven't found a manifesto or anything that point to an ideological motive. "Why did he do this? What was in his brain? We don't know," said priest Kaselia. "I feel sorry for him. We must pray that the Lord forgives him."
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Sweden reels from worst mass-shooting as it mourns the dead
By Johan Ahlander OREBRO, Sweden (Reuters) - Ten years ago Salim Iskef, 29, fled the Islamic State and Syria to form a better, more secure life in Sweden, only to be gunned down this week in the worst mass-shooting in Swedish history. Iskef was one of 10 people in the adult school in Orebro who were killed by the shooter, identified as Rickard Andersson by Reuters and Swedish media, before he turned the gun on himself. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Police said people of different ages, genders and nationalities were among the victims but they have not disclosed the names of all the victims yet. The Risbergska adult education centre, where the attack took place, offers adult courses and Swedish language classes for immigrants. Iskef, one of about 5,000 Christian Assyrians in Orebro, was due to get married in the summer and had recently bought a house with his fiancé. "He had so many beautiful plans and so many beautiful dreams," Jacob Kaselia, a friend of the family and priest at St. Mary's church in Orebro, told Reuters after leading a memorial service for Iskef in front of about 400 people. "All gone in a second." After Iskef was shot he called his mother and fiance to tell them that he loved them. That was the last they heard from him. "His fiancé is totally destroyed," said Kaselia. "We try to help her, but honestly, it's very hard." The mass-shooting has rocked the Nordic country. Although accustomed to gang violence, Sweden has not had school shootings on this scale before. "Feb. 4 will forever mark a dark day in Swedish history," Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said in a statement on Wednesday. "Together, we must help the injured and their relatives bear the grief and weight of this day." While the full list of victims is not known, it's already clear that several members of the Assyrian community were among those caught up in the attack. Merwa, who was a close friend of Iskef and went to school with him every day, was shot at by the gunman. She was unharmed and used her friend's scarf to try to stop the bleeding of a man who was shot in front of her. "We're still in shock. We didn't think this could happen in Sweden, and especially in school," she told Reuters, adding it is unlikely that she will go back to school. "I really don't think so," she said. Police said on Thursday they are yet to find a motive for the shooting. They haven't found a manifesto or anything that point to an ideological motive. "Why did he do this? What was in his brain? We don't know," said priest Kaselia. "I feel sorry for him. We must pray that the Lord forgives him."
