Sweden’s Teen Gunmen

Sweden has been a European hotspot for gang-related shootings and bombings for several years. But recently, the violence has shifted beyond low-income, vulnerable, urban areas. Trouble is expanding throughout the country, where children as young as 13 are taking weapons and justice into their own hands.

Ashley’s introduction to the growing problem is through a photojournalist documenting the murder scenes and a civilian criminal investigator who deals with cases on a daily basis.

From there, he heads into the underworld, talking to young men who don’t flinch from carrying a gun and using it if necessary. He meets gang bosses in underground car parks, and a secret meeting with a huge group of heavily armed men involves Ashley being blindfolded so as not to reveal the location.

He also joins the Swedish police at the front line of the ongoing gang war, before a final meet-up with a top gang leader for a clandestine training session involving pistol target practice in the dead of night.