Mar 2 • 05:42 UTC 🇸🇪 Sweden Dagens Nyheter

After gang wars: Hundreds of unresolved shootings

As of late 2025, Sweden has 459 open investigations into gun murders, predominantly in the Stockholm region, reflecting a significant escalation in gun violence since 2013.

As of the end of 2025, statistics reveal that Sweden is grappling with 459 open investigations related to gun murders, with a noticeable concentration of cases in the Stockholm region, followed closely by the southern region. This alarming increase can be traced back to 2013 when only 95 open cases were recorded, highlighting a dramatic escalation in gun violence over the years. Jarl Holmström, an assistant regional police chief in the South, characterizes these numbers as indicative of a deeply troubling trend in public safety and law enforcement's response capabilities.

According to Tobias Bergkvist, deputy regional police chief in Stockholm, early responses to the surge in gun violence were inadequate, reflecting a broader inability to manage the explosive rise of such crimes. With a clearance rate of just 20% in Stockholm, there remains a significant backlog of cases awaiting resolution, illustrating the challenges faced by law enforcement in addressing this crisis. This inefficiency has resulted in numerous open cases that have yet to be resolved, complicating the legal landscape as investigations may lead to partial verdicts related to participation in murder or serious weapon offenses.

Moreover, the fact that murders do not have a statute of limitations further complicates these investigations as authorities continue to seek apprehensions of suspects and co-conspirators. While action has been taken in some instances leading to convictions, the overarching reality remains one of systemic challenges in curbing gun violence and ensuring justice within the community.

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