On Friday (August 22), a sword attack occurred at Brinellskolan high school in the town of Fagersta, central Sweden, leaving several people injured. According to local authorities, the suspect was arrested by police shortly afterward.
The Fagersta municipality confirmed: “An attacker armed with a sword entered Brinellskolan and injured several people.” Swedish police said they received an alarm call about “ongoing deadly violence at a school in Fagersta” early in the afternoon and quickly dispatched forces to the scene.
Police spokesperson Pelle Vamstad, quoted by news agency TT, said one person had been taken into custody. Police continued to work at the scene with various resources, urging the public to respect barriers and follow instructions from authorities. Other schools in the area were asked to go into lockdown.
Swedish media reported that ambulances, police cars, and a police helicopter were outside the school in the small town of about 12,000 residents. The newspaper Aftonbladet reported that a man wielding a machete had been shot in the leg by police. However, this information has not been officially confirmed.
Swedish Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer said the government is closely monitoring the situation: “We have been informed of a serious incident in Fagersta. Police are on the scene and working very actively. The government is in close contact with the police and following developments continuously.”
Local authorities have not released a specific number of injured, while police continue to search the school and review camera footage that could aid the preliminary investigation.
