A 17-year-old girl has been fatally wounded after an 18-year-old man wielding a sword attacked students during classes at Brinell School in the central Swedish town of Fagersta on Friday afternoon, police have confirmed. Three other people sustained injuries in the assault, and prosecutors have ordered the suspect's detention on suspicion of murder and multiple counts of attempted murder.
Two boys, aged 12 and 17, were among those wounded and sustained minor injuries. A third injured person, also under 18 years old, received minor injuries and was discharged from hospital, according to Swedish news agency TT. The parents of the 17-year-old victim informed local newspaper Fagersta-Posten of their daughter's death.
Police have launched an investigation into whether the suspect was connected to online communities that promoted school violence. According to , detectives are examining whether a TikTok account that posted an image of a sword approximately 20 minutes before the attack belonged to the person in custody. The photograph appeared to have been captured inside a school restroom, according to the Dagens Nyheter newspaper.
Before the account was removed on Friday, the month-old profile contained videos that made references to two instances of mass violence in Sweden and to Anders Behring Breivik, the far-right mass murderer who killed 77 people in Norway in 2011. One video referenced a 2015 attack in which a masked swordsman killed a teaching assistant and two boys at a school in Trollhättan, western Sweden, before being fatally shot by police.
A police source stated:
The investigators are looking into various online communities that may have egged on the suspect to carry out the attack.
On Saturday, police clarified that the suspect had not been shot during his arrest, correcting earlier statements made on Friday. According to , a police spokesperson told the Aftonbladet daily:
Service weapons were used but the perpetrator has not been injured in connection with the arrest, and has not been in need of medical attention.The clarification followed initial reports suggesting officers had fired upon and wounded the suspect.
Political response and campaign pause
Several party leaders cancelled scheduled speeches on Saturday, temporarily halting their campaigning ahead of Sweden's 13 September general election. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and opposition leader Magdalena Andersson both travelled to Fagersta to express condolences to the bereaved family and visit the injured. Kristersson told reporters:
What should never happen has happened again. Our thoughts go first and foremost to the families who have been incredibly hard hit by this.
Context of school violence in Sweden
This attack follows Sweden's worst mass shooting, which occurred in February 2025 at a school in the south-central city of Örebro, when a gunman killed 10 people before turning the weapon on himself. School attacks involving weapons have emerged as a recurring concern in the country, prompting heightened scrutiny of online spaces where such violence may be encouraged or discussed.
Support services for affected community
According to Fagersta Municipality's crisis information notice, a crisis centre has been established at Risbrohallen to provide support for people affected by the attack. The centre operated on Saturday and Sunday from 09:00 to 14:00, and the municipality's crisis support line is available at 0223 442 75 for those requiring assistance.
Investigation ongoing
Police have stated that the investigation is continuing, with house searches and other investigative measures underway. Authorities have indicated they have no reason to believe additional suspects were involved in the attack. The case remains under active investigation as prosecutors pursue charges against the detained 18-year-old.
Key Facts
- A 17-year-old girl was killed and three others wounded in a sword attack at Brinell School in Fagersta on Friday afternoon
- An 18-year-old man has been arrested and is in custody on suspicion of murder and attempted murder
- Police are investigating possible links between the suspect and online communities promoting school violence, including examination of a TikTok account that posted a sword image shortly before the attack
- The suspect was not shot during arrest, contrary to initial reports
- Crisis support services have been established for the affected community through Sunday
