Teenage Girl Killed in Swedish School Sword Attack
A 17-year-old girl was killed and three others wounded in a sword attack at a Swedish school. An 18-year-old suspect is held.
Police in Sweden have identified the victim of a fatal sword attack at a school in Fagersta as a 17-year-old girl. The assault occurred on Friday at the Brinell School while classes were in session, leaving three others wounded, two of them seriously.
The suspect, an 18-year-old man, was arrested at the scene. Authorities are treating the case as murder and attempted murder, and have stated they have no reason to believe any other perpetrators were involved.
According to the Vastmanland County administration, the two seriously injured individuals are boys aged 12 and 17. A third victim, also under 18, sustained minor injuries and has since been discharged from hospital, as reported by Swedish news agency TT.
On Saturday morning, around 70 people gathered at a memorial site prepared by the municipality, laying flowers and lighting candles in tribute. The region had declared a state of emergency on Friday, which was lifted by Saturday.
Investigators have conducted two house searches linked to the suspect, and many witnesses are expected to be interviewed. No official motive has been released.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson expressed sorrow over the violence, writing on X that it came "right after the summer break." He added, "We do not yet know what lies behind the act, but we know that the police are working very intensively. Our thoughts are with all those affected."
Sweden has experienced several violent school attacks in recent years. In 2025, 11 people died in a shooting at an education center in Orebro, prompting the government to propose stricter gun laws. Earlier incidents include a 2022 knife and axe attack in Malmo that killed two teachers, and a 2015 racist hate crime in Trollhattan where three people were stabbed to death.