The attack came shortly after National Police Commissioner Dan Eliasson requested 4,100 new staff and police officers to cover the increased demand for security at asylum centers, to carry out deportations, and to protect the country against terrorism.
袭击发生前不久，国家警察局局长丹·埃利亚松（英语：Dan Eliasson）要求增加4100名新员工和警察以应对避难中心增长的安全需求，实施驱逐難民的政策，并保护国家免受恐怖主义的侵襲。