Swedish police probe online networks after school sword attack kills girl

A 17-year-old girl was killed and three others wounded when an 18-year-old man attacked students with a sword at Brinell high school in Fagersta, central Sweden, on Friday. Police arrested the suspect and are investigating whether he was involved in online communities promoting school violence. Source: AP News Source: The Guardian

The attack

The attack occurred around 2 p.m. local time, shortly after the school reopened following summer recess. Police received an alarm about "ongoing deadly violence" and responded with all available resources. Source: CNA The suspect was taken into custody, and authorities said there was no longer any danger to the public. Source: BBC The two seriously injured boys were aged 12 and 17; a third person under 18 was slightly injured and discharged from hospital. Source: AP News

Online links

Police are examining whether a TikTok account that posted a picture of a sword 20 minutes before the attack belonged to the suspect. The month-old account, taken down on Friday, contained videos referencing two episodes of mass violence in Sweden and Norwegian far-right mass murderer Anders Behring Breivik. Source: SCMP "The investigators are looking into various online communities which might have egged on the suspect to carry out the attack," a police source said. Source: CNA

Reactions and context

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and opposition leader Magdalena Andersson visited Fagersta to offer condolences. Several party leaders cancelled planned speeches ahead of the September 13 election. Source: The Guardian The attack echoes previous school violence in Sweden, including the 2015 Trollhättan sword attack and the 2025 Örebro mass shooting. Source: DW News

Prosecutors ordered the suspect's detention on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. Source: CNA