17-year-old girl killed in sword attack at Swedish school, police confirm

A 17-year-old girl was killed and at least two other students seriously injured when a man wielding a sword attacked Brinell School in Fagersta, central Sweden, on Friday afternoon. Police confirmed Sunday that the victim was a teenage girl, and that two boys aged 12 and 17 had also been seriously wounded in the attack, with a fourth person sustaining minor injuries.

Suspect detained, police fired shots

An 18-year-old man — described as a former student at the school — was arrested at the scene. Police said they fired shots after arriving but did not confirm whether the suspect was hit. He was wearing a helmet at the time of the attack. The case is being investigated as murder and attempted murder, and two house searches linked to the suspect have been carried out.

Attack came on first day back after summer

Students at Brinell School had only just returned from summer break when the attack took place. The school has approximately 500 students and is located 170 kilometres (105 miles) northwest of Stockholm. The surrounding region declared a state of emergency on Friday, which was lifted by Saturday morning.

Political leaders respond

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and opposition leader Magdalena Andersson visited the school on Saturday, where residents and students had laid flowers in tribute to the victims. "We do not know what lies behind the act, but we know that police are working," Kristersson said. King Carl XVI Gustaf expressed "dismay and sadness" upon hearing the news.