One dead and three injured in sword attack at Swedish high school
An 18-year-old suspect was arrested after a sword attack at Brinell School in Fagersta, killing one person and wounding three others.
Police responded to Brinell School in Fagersta shortly after 14:00 local time on Friday following reports of a sword attack. Officers shot the 18-year-old suspect, who was wearing a helmet and is believed to be a former student, and subsequently detained him. The attack left one person dead and three others injured.
Eight nearby schools were placed under lockdown, a measure that has since been lifted, while a high alert was declared for the Västmanland region. Authorities said there is no ongoing threat to the public and are investigating possible motives.
"We do not know what lies behind the act, but we know that police are working very intensively," Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said on X, adding his thoughts were with those directly affected and their families.
The incident occurred as students were returning to classes after the summer break; Brinell School serves just under 500 pupils and is located about 170 km northwest of Stockholm. The attack follows Sweden's deadliest mass shooting in 2025, which prompted stricter gun regulations.