18-Year-Old Student Kills Peer in Sword Attack at Swedish School

An 18-year-old student armed with a sword entered Brinell School in Fagersta, northwest of Stockholm, during classes on Friday, killing a 17-year-old girl and injuring three other pupils, two of them seriously. Police arrested the suspect and are treating the case as murder and attempted murder, saying no additional attackers are suspected. The two seriously injured victims were identified as a 12-year-old boy and a 17-year-old boy; a third victim, also under 18, was treated and released from hospital.

The school principal confirmed the attacker was a student at the school. Police reported that officers fired shots during the incident, but the attacker was not hit. Authorities have conducted two house searches and plan to interview numerous witnesses as the investigation continues.

Around 70 people gathered at a municipal memorial site on Saturday, laying flowers and lighting candles. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson visited the site, expressing solidarity with the families and noting that "what must never happen has happened again." He was accompanied by Social Democratic leader Magdalena Andersson, and political parties suspended campaign events ahead of September's parliamentary election. Kristersson invited party leaders to discuss the investigation's progress.

Sweden has experienced several violent school attacks in recent years, prompting discussions on tighter gun regulations and school security measures.