A violent attack at a central Swedish secondary school has left one person dead and two minors with severe injuries, triggering a large emergency response and an ongoing criminal investigation, law enforcement and local officials confirmed Friday.
The incident unfolded shortly after noon at Brinell School, located in Fagersta — a small town around 100 miles northwest of Sweden’s capital Stockholm. At the time of the attack, regular classes were in session for the campus’ 400 to 500 enrolled students.
Speaking at a official press briefing shortly after the incident, local police chief Tommy Alriksson confirmed that the 18-year-old male suspect was taken into custody minutes after first responders arrived. Authorities confirmed that shots were discharged by responding officers during the arrest, but the suspect was not harmed in the encounter. He is currently in police custody and has not required hospital treatment.
As of Friday evening, investigators have not confirmed a possible motive for the attack, and have ruled out the presence of additional attackers. “We have no reason at this time to believe that there are multiple perpetrators,” Alriksson stated, adding that the full investigation is still in its early stages.
Sweden’s national police force confirmed that investigators have already completed two targeted house searches connected to the suspect, and plan to interview dozens of witnesses over the coming days. Alriksson noted that investigators would not release additional details about the case at this stage to avoid compromising witness testimony.
According to Sweden’s national news agency TT, the two seriously injured victims are male minors between the ages of 12 and 17, matching the age range of students at the secondary school. Officials have not released any identifying information about the deceased victim as of Friday evening.
Following the attack, a wide perimeter around Brinell School was cordoned off by law enforcement, and all nearby campuses were placed under immediate lockdown as a precaution. Roadblocks were also set up on major access routes around Fagersta to support the response effort.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson addressed the attack in a post on the X social media platform Friday afternoon, noting that the violence came just days after the end of the country’s summer school break. “We do not yet know what lies behind the act, but we know that the police are working very intensively,” Kristersson wrote. “Our thoughts are with all those affected.”
Local authorities have activated emergency support systems for the community: the Fagersta municipal government opened a crisis support center at a nearby sports arena, where affected students, family members, and staff can access mental health support and practical assistance. The Vastmanland County government confirmed that emergency services including police, fire crews, and medical personnel remain on site to support response and care efforts.
This report includes contributions from Associated Press writer Sylvia Hui based in London.