Sweden Mass Shooting: Three Men Arrested After Triple Murder at Uppsala Hair Salon

Sweden Mass Shooting

A deadly daylight shooting that left three young men dead inside a hair salon has rocked Sweden and intensified national alarm over spiraling gang violence. The triple homicide, which took place in central Uppsala on Tuesday, has now taken a dramatic turn: a 16-year-old boy initially arrested at the scene has been released, and three adult suspects have been taken into custody.

Teen No Longer a Suspect, Says Prosecutor

Prosecutor Andreas Nyberg confirmed on Friday that the teenager who was held immediately after the shooting is no longer under suspicion.

“Suspicions against the 16-year-old have weakened during his time in custody. He is no longer suspected of a crime,” Nyberg said in an official statement.

The teen, whose identity has not been released due to his age, was arrested shortly after the gunfire that shocked both Uppsala residents and the nation. Authorities now say the investigation has moved in a new direction.

Three Adults Now in Custody for Deadly Shooting

Two men — one in his mid-20s and the other in his mid-30s — were arrested on Thursday, suspected of incitement to commit murder. A third man in his 20s was arrested between Thursday night and early Friday morning, and is now suspected of direct involvement in the murders.

According to police, all three suspects are believed to have some connection to the scene or the victims, although the exact motive remains under investigation.

The victims, aged between 15 and 20, were shot and killed inside a popular hair salon on a busy street in Uppsala’s city center. Witnesses described scenes of chaos as people fled the area amid the sound of gunshots.

The Victims of the Uppsala Shooting

15-year-old Aiham was shot dead in Uppsala on Tuesday. His father describes him as kind and caring.

The three victims of the Uppsala shooting were all young males, aged between 15 and 20, whose lives were cut short in a brutal daytime attack.

One of them was 15-year-old Aiham, described by his father as a kind and thoughtful boy who had no connection to criminal networks. He was reportedly getting a haircut when he was shot. The identities of the other two victims have not been officially released, but local media suggest one may have had links to a known gang.

Eyewitnesses said the gunman entered the salon and opened fire with precision, targeting the youths directly. The nature of the attack has led many to believe it was a planned execution rather than a random act of violence. The killings have devastated the community, with residents laying flowers outside the salon and lighting candles in memory of the victims. The tragedy has intensified public pressure on Swedish authorities to address the growing crisis of gang violence and protect young people from being caught in the crossfire.

Rising Fears Over Gang Violence in Sweden

While police have not officially confirmed a gang-related motive, investigators are exploring possible ties between the victims and criminal networks. Swedish media outlets, citing unnamed sources, report that at least one of the deceased had known affiliations with a local gang.

Uppsala, a city just 70 kilometers north of Stockholm, is considered a battleground for some of Sweden’s most violent criminal organizations — particularly the Rumba and Foxtrot gangs, both of which are engaged in ongoing turf wars.

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson responded to the killings on Wednesday, calling the incident “an extremely violent act” that bore the hallmarks of a planned execution.

“It looked like an execution. This is not how Sweden should be,” Kristersson told reporters. “We are in the middle of a gang war that is targeting our society.”

Sweden’s Crime Wave: A National Emergency

Sweden has seen a surge in fatal shootings over the past five years, with much of the violence attributed to organized crime. Data from the Swedish Police Authority shows that Sweden has one of the highest rates of gun homicides in Europe — a trend that has prompted emergency legislative reforms, increased funding for police, and tougher sentencing laws.

The government has launched several task forces focused on gang suppression, but critics argue that more proactive measures are needed to prevent youth recruitment into criminal groups.

Public Shock, Calls for Justice

The triple killing has ignited public outrage, with local officials and community leaders demanding swift justice and a crackdown on organized crime. Candlelight vigils have been held in Uppsala in memory of the victims, and a growing number of residents are calling for increased police presence and surveillance in the city.

Police have appealed for witnesses and surveillance footage as the investigation intensifies.

“We are pursuing several leads and working closely with national crime units. The case is far from over,” a police spokesperson said.

What’s Next?

The three men now in custody will be questioned over the coming days, with prosecutors expected to decide soon whether to press formal charges. The hair salon remains closed as forensic teams continue to collect evidence.

For now, Sweden watches and waits — a nation rattled by violence that feels increasingly close to home.