Swedish police arrest 18-year-old after sword attack kills one and injures three at Fagersta school

The attack at Brinell high school

An 18-year-old male student armed with a sword entered Brinell high school in the central Swedish town of Fagersta on Friday. The assailant killed a 17-year-old female student and injured three other people before law enforcement brought the assault to an end. Authorities confirmed that two boys, aged 12 and 17, sustained serious injuries during the incident, while a third individual also suffered injuries of unspecified severity, according to health officials in the Västmanland region. Officers who secured the building located the deceased victim inside the school complex shortly after restraining the perpetrator.

Police issued a statement on Saturday confirming the identity and age of the victim.

The person who lost their life in this incident is a 17-year-old young woman. Her family has been notified.

Police intervention and suspect background

Responding officers arrived at the school premises and shot the suspect in the leg approximately 10 minutes after the assault began, taking him into custody. The 18-year-old suspect, who attended the school, had a prior criminal conviction for a previous attack at another educational institution. That conviction originally resulted in a juvenile detention sentence, which was subsequently converted into 25 days of community service.

During the assault in Fagersta, the perpetrator wore black clothing, a World War II helmet, and a face mask. Swedish media reported that the attire replicated the appearance of Anton Lundin Pettersson, who murdered three people during a sword attack at a school in Trollhättan in 2015. Investigators also identified references in the suspect's background to other far-right serial killers, including Anders Behring Breivik.

Online activity and digital evidence

Investigators are examining the suspect's digital footprint and potential participation in online networks that promote school violence. Approximately 20 minutes before the attack, an image displaying a sword was published on a TikTok account created one month earlier. The photograph appeared to have been taken inside a restroom at Brinell high school.

Swedish police confirmed finding the identical sword photograph on the suspect's mobile phone after his arrest. Media reports indicated that the suspect may have recorded the incident, with sources describing a video spanning roughly 30 minutes. Former classmates and acquaintances described the suspect as quiet, shy, and socially isolated, while also noting past aggressive behaviour and an interest in violence.

Political visits and community reaction

Following the attack, local residents gathered near Brinell high school to place flowers and light candles. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Social Democratic opposition leader Magdalena Andersson visited the memorial location outside the school on Saturday morning. Police maintained an active presence around the building as investigative measures continued to establish the sequence of events.

Students from the high school arrived at the site to pay tribute to the victims. Minea, a Brinell high school student, spoke to Swedish public broadcaster SVT outside the premises.

It is terrible to think that someone you were sitting at the same table with, someone you were talking to, is suddenly dead.