Swedish authorities arrest second suspect in deadly sword attack at Fagersta school
A second man has been taken into custody in connection with the sword attack at Brinell School that killed a 17-year-old girl and injured three boys, while prosecutors consider detention.
Swedish prosecutors announced Wednesday that a second individual has been arrested on suspicion of assisting murder and attempted murder in the sword attack at Brinell School in Fagersta, northwest of Stockholm. The attack on August 21 left a 17-year-old girl dead and seriously injured two boys, aged 12 and 17, while a third boy under 18 sustained minor injuries and was later released from hospital. An 18-year-old student, already in custody, is accused of carrying out the assault.
Authorities have not disclosed the new suspect’s age or the specific role he is alleged to have played. A court decision on whether to detain him is expected by Thursday noon. Police fired shots during the arrest operation, but the suspect was not hit.
Investigators are examining whether the 18-year-old attacker had connections to online communities that glorify school violence. A TikTok account linked to him, now removed, reportedly contained videos praising school attacks and a photo of a sword taken inside a bathroom at the school.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson visited Fagersta on Saturday and attended a memorial with opposition leader Magdalena Andersson. > "What must never happen has happened again," Kristersson said.
Sweden has experienced several violent incidents at schools in recent years, including a 2025 mass shooting at an adult education centre in Örebro and a 2022 knife and axe attack on teachers in Malmö.