Young award-winning rapper shot dead in Stockholm, murder raises fears of escalating gang violence — RT World News

The 19-year-old Einar, whose real name is Nils Kurt Erik Einar Gronberg, was murdered in Stockholm’s residential area, outside an apartment building late on Thursday. Expressen newspaper, reporting that the victim, an award-winning musician who won many music prizes, including Swedish Grammys was gunned down in his head and chest. Paramedics were unable to help the teen, who died on the spot, a spokesperson for Stockholm’s police, Towe Hagg, said. 

Two other artists are believed to be with the victim. “who have seen either parts of the whole incident,”Expressen reported that Ola Osterling was another police spokesperson. The report said that two additional men were seen fleeing from the scene. A murder investigation was opened but no arrests had been made. 

According to Swedish public broadcaster SVT, the shooting was related to gangs.

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According to local media, police are alert for a potential escalation in gang violence as revenge crimes may rise following the murder. According to reports, Einar lived with criminal network members and was subject to constant threats. “a price on his head.” References to the world of crime, weapons and drugs are featured in his songs, with a hit that brought him to fame, ‘Katten i trakten’ (‘The Cat in the Area’) said to be dedicated to a murdered gang leader. 

A criminal gang kidnapped the musician last year and demanded that he pay 3,000,000 Swedish Krona (350,000 USD) for his release. The artist, who topped the country’s charts, was also robbed, beaten and blackmailed, according to prosecutors. He refused to cooperate later with police officers and the prosecutors regarding his abduction. A rival artist, rapper Yasin, was jailed for his role in Einar’s abduction. Haval was another rapper who was imprisoned longer for his complicity with the kidnapping, robbery.

Einar, himself, was involved in recent criminal incidents. According to reports, Einar tried to seize a firearm from a cop last month. He was one the several suspects involved in a stabbing in central Stockholm earlier this month. Police released him both times. 

Sweden’s top officials have commented on the rapper’s death. “It’s tragic that another life has been lost,”Reporters were told by Stefan Lofven, Prime Minister of Stefan Lofven. He also stated that Einar “meant a lot to many young people.”Marta Stenevi, Minister for Gender Equality and Housing, wrote that on Twitter the “young man fell victim to the deadly violence,”And he said it “must be stopped.”

Since recent years, Sweden has seen an increase in organized crime. According to statistics from police, there have been over 270 shootings in Sweden this year. 40 victims were killed. In Europe, this country with ten million inhabitants has seen its gun violence rate rise from the lowest to the second-highest in Europe. 

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The rapper’s murder “is deeply tragic, and at the same time frightening, as one almost expects something like this to happen,”Swedish Mitti reported that Einar’s friend, a man from Sweden who was there to make tributes, spoke to Swedish Mitti. He said that he was a resident of the neighbourhood for over 20 years. But, in recent years violence and increased police presence have dramatically increased. “I do not let children be outside by themselves when it is dark,”He said. 

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