Seventeen-year-old girl killed in sword attack at school in Sweden
Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- A 17-year-old girl was killed and three others injured in a sword attack at a school in Fagersta, Sweden.
- An 18-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident.
- Police are investigating potential links to online communities promoting violence and examining a TikTok post made shortly before the attack.
A 17-year-old girl has died and three other students were injured in a shocking sword attack at a high school in Fagersta, Sweden. An 18-year-old man is in custody, with police investigating potential motives, including possible links to online communities that glorify violence.
The attack occurred during school hours on Friday at Brinell High School. Two boys, aged 12 and 17, and a third individual under 18 sustained minor injuries. The parents of the deceased girl confirmed her death to local media. Swedish news agency TT reported that the third injured person has been discharged from the hospital.
Investigators are reportedly examining a TikTok account that posted an image of a sword approximately 20 minutes before the attack. A police source indicated that this account may have belonged to the suspect and contained videos referencing past mass violence incidents in Sweden and the perpetrator of the 2011 Norway attacks, Anders Behring Breivik. Detectives are exploring whether online communities may have encouraged the suspect.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and opposition leader Magdalena Andersson visited Fagersta to offer condolences. Kristersson stated, "What should never happen has happened again." The incident has cast a shadow over the upcoming general election, with several party leaders pausing their campaigns. Police clarified that the suspect was arrested without being injured, contrary to initial reports.
What should never happen has happened again. Our thoughts go first and foremost to the families who have been incredibly hard hit by this.
Originally published by The Guardian. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.