The attacker, who is about 35 years old, had not previously been a concern to authorities. He had a legal license to carry a weapon.

The perpetrator’s motives are unknown at this time, but it is believed he acted alone.

Police do not believe there is a terrorist motive and the incident is closed.

Several people were killed in a shooting attack that took place on Tuesday (4/2) afternoon at a school in the Swedish town of  Örebro, 200 km west of Stockholm, Swedish media reported, citing unnamed sources.

The news of several deaths was reported by the newspaper Aftonbladet and the public television networks SVT and TV4. A police spokesman did not comment on the reports of deaths.

Official sources said the Swedish police, in a later update on the incident just before 17:00 (GMT), stressed that the alleged perpetrator was a man and was injured.

She also said she was investigating the school premises and said she could not at this point give an accurate death toll.

Earlier, in its first update at 14:10 local time (15:10 GMT), police said five people were shot in the attack, saying a police operation was underway.

“There were shots fired at a school. Five people were hit. Their condition is not clear. The operation is ongoing,” was the Swedish police statement earlier.

The attack is being treated as “attempted homicide, arson and assault with heavy weapons”. According to the newspaper Aftonbladet, gunfire from automatic weapons was heard. Local media reported the presence of armed police around a building. No police officers have been injured, according to authorities.

The attack took place inside a complex of schools, elementary, middle and high schools.

“The news coming in about an attack in  Örebro is very serious,” Justice Minister Gunnar Stroemer told public television network SVT, adding that government authorities are in constant communication with police.