14-Year-Old Convicted for Mass Shooting in Gävle
A minor was sentenced for a gang-linked shooting targeting civilians in Gävle.
1Conviction of a Minor
A 14-year-old boy has been convicted by the Gävle District Court for aggravated assault in six cases following a mass shooting. The incident occurred in October 2025 on a crowded bar street. Because the perpetrator was under 15 at the time of the crime, he cannot receive a standard prison sentence.
2The Night of Violence
Shortly before 02:00 on a Saturday, a gunman opened fire on a busy street in central Gävle. Witnesses initially mistook the gunshots for fireworks before realizing the danger. Six people, including some minors, were struck by bullets. All victims survived, though several sustained injuries to their feet and legs during the attack.
3Failed Institutional Intervention
The perpetrator was already known to police and social services due to concerns regarding his involvement in criminal circles. On the day of the shooting, the municipality decided to place him in a locked youth home. Despite these efforts, the boy evaded authorities and carried out the shooting just hours later that night.
4Recruitment via Encryption
Police investigations revealed the boy was recruited via TikTok and coordinated through the encrypted messaging app Signal. Criminal actors asked if he was prepared to kill for money. The boy, then 13, confirmed his age and accepted instructions. He reportedly retrieved payment hidden in a cigarette pack near a local shopping center.
5Weaponry and Origins
The shooter used two semi-automatic pistols during the attack. One of the weapons was marked as police property, having been previously stolen from a civilian police vehicle. The prosecutor noted that the weapon's range put at least 29 people in serious danger, classifying them all as victims in the legal proceedings.
6The Foxtrot Connection
Prosecutors have identified Ali Shehab, a high-ranking member of the Foxtrot criminal network, as the suspected mastermind behind the assignment. Shehab is considered a key associate of network leader Rawa Majid. He is currently serving a life sentence in Iraq for drug offenses, complicating potential extradition efforts to Sweden for this case.
7Lack of Clear Motive
Despite extensive investigations, authorities have not established a specific motive for the shooting. None of the six injured victims had known ties to gang activity, and investigators could not identify a clear intended target. The shooter claimed in court that he aimed low to avoid killing anyone, despite the indiscriminate nature of the attack.
8Broader Societal Implications
This case highlights the growing trend of criminal networks recruiting minors to perform violent acts. The use of children as hitmen presents significant challenges for the Swedish legal system and social services. The inability to extradite key figures like Shehab from Iraq further complicates efforts to dismantle these organized criminal networks effectively.
Original article: Expressen — 14-Year-Old Convicted for Mass Shooting in Gävle