One person has died and two boys are seriously injured after an 18-year-old allegedly attacked a school in central Sweden with a sword, a police chief has confirmed. The suspect was apprehended following the attack at the school, which has approximately 400 to 500 pupils, northwest of Stockholm on Friday, August 21.
Arrest and Investigation
The sword assault took place while lessons were under way. Officers said gunfire was discharged during the arrest, though it remains uncertain whether the suspect sustained injuries. The suspect is being detained in custody and is not receiving treatment in hospital.
No immediate information was available regarding the alleged attacker's potential motive. "We have no reason at this time to believe that there are multiple perpetrators," said Police Chief Tommy Alriksson, noting that an investigation was ongoing.
Police Response and Witnesses
Sweden's national police confirmed investigators have already conducted two property searches linked to the suspect. Numerous witnesses were anticipated to be questioned as part of the probe. "That's why we can't give out too much information, because we don't want to influence witnesses," the police chief said.
Police sealed off a large perimeter surrounding the school, with several neighbouring schools placed on lockdown and roadblocks put in place following the incident. Police spokesperson Pelle Vamstad, quoted by TT, said an alert was received during early afternoon on Friday.
Official Reactions
Vastmanland County, where the town is situated, said the two seriously wounded boys were aged between 12 and 17 years old, according to TT news agency. The Vastmanland County government confirmed that "many people" had been caught up in the incident, with police officers, firefighters and healthcare workers amongst those attending to those affected.
"We do not yet know what lies behind the act, but we know that the police are working very intensively," Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson wrote in a post on X. "Our thoughts are with all those affected."
