An 18-year-old with a sword attacked a school Friday in central Sweden, killing one person and seriously wounding at least two others, the police chief said.
Police Chief Tommy Alrickson said in a press conference that the suspect was arrested following the attack on the school in the central town of Fagersta, northwest of the capital, Stockholm.
Police confirmed that shots were fired during the arrest. It was not clear if the suspect was injured, but he was in custody and not treated in hospital.
Officials said that the attack occurred at Brinell School in Fagersta while classes were in session, and the number of students there ranged from 400 to 500. There was no immediate news about the attacker’s possible motive.
Get daily national news
Get Canada Daily News delivered to your inbox so you don’t miss the day’s top stories.
“We have no reason at this time to believe there are multiple perpetrators,” Alrickson said, adding that the investigation is ongoing.
Swedish National Police said investigators have already searched two homes in connection with the suspect. Several witnesses are expected to be interviewed as part of the investigation.
“That’s why we can’t provide too much information, because we don’t want to influence witnesses,” Alrickson said.
Vastmanland County, where the town is located, said the two seriously injured boys were between 12 and 17 years old, TT news agency reported. No details were provided about the dead man.
An alert was received early Friday afternoon, police spokesman Billy Famstad said, quoted by TT. The police cordoned off a large area around the school as part of their response. Authorities said several nearby schools were closed following the incident, and roadblocks were put in place.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, in an earlier post on the social media platform
He added: “We do not yet know what is behind this act, but we know that the police are working very intensively.” “Our thoughts are with all those affected.”
The city government of Fagersta has set up a crisis center in a gym near the school. The Vastmanland County Government said “many people” were affected and that police, fire services and healthcare workers were among those caring for them.
Associated Press writer Sylvia Howe in London contributed to this report.
& Edition 2026 The Canadian Press
