A 39-year-old family man was shot dead by gang youths in Stockholm in front of his son. Sweden’s prime minister assures that politicians will do everything they can to eradicate gang violence.
Roni Kuronen,
Sari Taussi
Out-of-control gang violence has once again made headlines in Sweden when the 39-year-old Mikael was shot dead in front of this 12-year-old boy.
The shooting took place in Stockholm’s southern district of Skärholmen.
Swedish public broadcasting company according to SVT Mikael, who lives in Skärholmen, was on his way to the local swimming pool with his son on Wednesday evening, when the gang youths staying in the underpass had shouted something inappropriate at the duo who were moving around on bikes. When Mikael turned back to talk to the youth group, he was shot.
According to several Swedish media, the man was shot because he dared to speak to gang members.
According to the newspaper Aftonbladet Mikael had been worried about the increase in gang crime in Skärholmen and had also been in contact with the police to eradicate the phenomenon.
According to the newspaper, he approached the gang members, when one of them threatened him with a gun. When Mikael tried to take the gun from the threat, the threat shot him.
SVT’s crime reporter Diamant Salihun According to the Skärholmen area, there are currently two disputes between the criminal network.
Due to the gang war, the atmosphere in gang circles is very tense. Fearful young people therefore carry weapons and easily resort to violence.
Politicians are held accountable
Prime Minister of Sweden Ulf Kristersson visited the scene of the shooting on Thursday night. Kristersson described the shooting as a “new phase” in the gang war that is raging in Sweden.
– A person who has nothing to do with gangs was shot in front of his child. It speaks of an animalistic attitude, Kristersson said.
The SVT reporter who was there also asked the prime minister’s reaction to the fact that many Swedes are angry and also dissatisfied with the actions of politicians to eradicate gang violence.
– We will do everything we can and act as quickly as the constitution allows, Kristersson said.
Earlier this month, the Swedish parliament voted on special security zones. After the 25th of this month, the police can the right to conduct searches with a lower threshold.
Sweden is also going to make it easier exchange of information between authorities by breaking the obligation of non-disclosure.
Sources: AFP, SVT
Added on 12.4. at 10:28 Aftonbladet’s description of the shooting situation.