Swedish police on Saturday confirmed that a 17-year-old girl was killed in Friday’s deadly sword attack at a school in Fagersta.
An 18-year-old male student, armed with a sword, carried out the attack at Brinell School, northwest of Stockholm, while classes were underway. The assault left one person dead and three minors injured.
Two boys, aged 12 and 17, suffered serious injuries, while another minor sustained minor injuries and has since been discharged from hospital, Swedish media reported, reports AP.
The suspect has been arrested on charges of murder and attempted murder. Police fired shots during the operation but did not hit the attacker, and investigators believe there were no other perpetrators involved.
The motive remains unclear. Police have carried out two searches of properties linked to the investigation.
The local state of emergency was lifted on Saturday as around 70 residents gathered at a municipal memorial to pay tribute to the victims.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson visited the scene alongside opposition leader Magdalena Andersson of the Social Democrats and expressed solidarity with those affected.
“What must never happen has happened again,” Kristersson said.
With Sweden’s parliamentary election scheduled for September, political parties suspended campaign activities on Saturday. Kristersson also invited party leaders to a briefing on the ongoing investigation.
Sweden has witnessed several deadly attacks at educational institutions in recent years.
Last year, 11 people, including the attacker, were killed in the country’s worst mass shooting at an education centre in Örebro, prompting calls for stricter gun laws.
In 2022, an 18-year-old man killed two female teachers with a knife and an axe at a school in Malmö.
In 2015, a 21-year-old man carried out a racist attack at Kronan School in Trollhättan, stabbing three people to death before being shot dead by police. The victims were targeted because of their darker skin colour.
