Title: Violence in Sätra Center Raises Security Concerns
Subtitle: Local businesses and residents demand increased safety measures in the wake of recent violence
Photo: Carolina Byrmo
SÄTRA, STOCKHOLM – The tranquility of Sätra Center in Stockholm was shattered on Tuesday when a young man was shot dead in a violent incident that unfolded in broad daylight. The harrowing incident has left the community in shock and has reignited concerns about safety in the area.
Qussay Alzuhairi, the owner of a kiosk in Sätra Center, witnessed the horrifying events. He expressed his desire to relocate his business, citing the urgent need for peace and security. Alzuhairi, who fled from war-torn Baghdad in 2007, had sought refuge in a peaceful country, but recent events have challenged his sense of safety.
“I had finished work and gone home when it happened. But one of my employees was here, and he said that everything went so fast,” Alzuhairi recounted.
The police have obtained surveillance footage from the kiosk’s four cameras, which are expected to play a crucial role in the ongoing investigation. The importance of such footage was demonstrated in a previous murder case near a nearby restaurant last year.
Sätra, a relatively poor area compared to the rest of Stockholm, has experienced a series of violent incidents in recent years. The community was deeply shaken by the discovery of two young men found murdered in a basement, followed by another fatal shooting just blocks away.
Local priests, Camilla Matzon and Yonas Tamiru, have kept their church in Skärholmen open for support. Unfortunately, no one has sought solace there yet. The eerie atmosphere of Sätra Center, an indoor shopping district that was once a symbol of modernity, now stands dilapidated and empty.
The government’s response to the escalating violence has faced criticism from both the right and the left. However, Qussay Alzuhairi emphasizes that the situation in Stockholm is not comparable to the horrors of war that he experienced in his homeland.
“Some say that war has broken out, but they don’t know what they are talking about. War is something much worse than what is going on here,” Alzuhairi commented.
The recent murder has led to renewed demands for increased security in Sätra Center and its surrounding areas. Concerned citizens have laid flowers and lit candles outside the mall as a somber reminder of the tragedy, while also expressing a longing for peace.
The police have made four arrests in connection with the murder, raising hopes that the case will be resolved soon. Despite the challenges they face, authorities stress that they are actively working to address the issue of gang violence.
In the midst of this bleak atmosphere, Qussay Alzuhairi remains hopeful that the situation will improve.
“I earn enough to support my family, and I no longer work 15 hours a day,” he said.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of yet another violent incident, residents and businesses are calling for immediate action to make Sätra Center a safer place for all. The authorities are urged to work collaboratively with the residents to find effective solutions and restore peace to the area.