Second victim dies following knife attack at Slovak primary school in Staškov

Attack at the Staškov primary school

On Tuesday, 29 September 2026, an eighth-grade pupil carried out a knife attack at a primary school in Staškov, a municipality located seven kilometres west of Čadca near the Czech and Polish borders. The incident occurred around 9:00, prompting the immediate dispatch of two ambulances and two medical rescue helicopters. The 13-year-old attacker targeted a female classmate before turning on two teachers who stepped in to defend her. A 61-year-old teacher sustained fatal wounds and died at the scene. A second teacher, aged 44, suffered stab wounds to the chest and was evacuated for medical care.

Hospitalization and second fatality

The injured student, identified as Nelka, was hospitalized in critical condition after losing a significant volume of blood, a situation described by Health Minister Kamil Šaško as immediately life-threatening. University Hospital Žilina spokeswoman Zuzana Fialová stated that the 44-year-old teacher remained in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries. Despite medical interventions, the student succumbed to her injuries in the hospital on Thursday, 1 October 2026. National Council Speaker Richard Raši announced the death to lawmakers during a parliamentary session in Bratislava, where deputies observed a minute of silence.

Unfortunately, despite the tremendous efforts of doctors, it was not possible to save the life of this girl. I think none of us can imagine the grief her parents must be experiencing.

Investigation and legal status of the suspect

Police officers detained the 13-year-old eighth-grader at the scene and transferred him to a youth detention facility under psychiatric supervision. Investigators opened criminal proceedings regarding murder and attempted murder, executed a search of the boy's residence, and questioned witnesses. Because the suspect is under the legal age of criminal responsibility in Slovakia, he cannot be prosecuted in court. Domestic reports indicated that the suspect, who was raised by his grandmother, acted out of revenge after the girl alerted teachers to an altered picture depicting a concentration camp with the faces of school staff.

Political response and recent violence in Slovak schools

State leaders released official statements offering condolences to the victim's family and addressing school security. Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok expressed support for the victim's family, classmates, and teachers, while Prime Minister Robert Fico expressed deep sorrow over the student's death. President Peter Pellegrini urged authorities to focus on preventing future school violence.

I am deeply saddened by the death of young Nelka. The tragedy that occurred at the primary school in Staškov reminds us all how important it is to prevent such a drama from repeating.

The Staškov incident follows earlier fatal school violence in Slovakia. In 2020, an attacker killed a teacher and injured several individuals at a primary school in central Slovakia. In January 2025, an 18-year-old carried out a fatal stabbing at a secondary school in Spišská Stará Ves, killing a student and a deputy headmistress while injuring another student. A regional court sentenced that attacker to 25 years in prison on 30 September 2026, with prosecutors appealing for a life sentence.