An 18-year-old man armed with a sword attacked a high school in central Sweden on Friday, killing a 17-year-old girl and wounding three others before police shot him and took him into custody.
The attack happened Friday afternoon at Brinellskolan in Fagersta, a town of about 13,000 people, CNN reported. The school had reopened after the summer break, and for some students it was the first day of the term.
Officers shot the suspect in the leg and arrested him on suspicion of murder, Euronews reported, citing local media. Swedish outlets reported that he had been a student there.
Two boys, ages 12 and 17, were seriously hurt. A third person under 18 was treated for minor injuries and released from a hospital, CBS News reported, citing the Swedish news agency TT. Officers found the dead student as they moved through the building to secure it.
Police Chief Tommy Alriksson told reporters there was "no reason at this time to believe that there are multiple perpetrators," according to CBS News. He said investigators were withholding details so as not to influence witnesses.
Police have carried out two searches connected to the suspect and expect to interview many of those who were inside the school. No motive has been made public.
Investigators are examining a TikTok account that posted a photograph of a sword about 20 minutes before the attack, CNN reported, citing the daily Aftonbladet. The account was a month old and was taken down Friday.
King Carl XVI Gustaf said through the royal household that he learned of the attack with dismay and sadness. Social Democrat leader Magdalena Andersson, whose party leads polls ahead of next month's parliamentary election, said, "All of Sweden stands together with Fagersta at this difficult time," CNN reported.
About 70 people gathered Saturday morning at a memorial site set up by the municipality, leaving flowers and lighting candles, CBS News reported.
Sweden has seen several serious attacks at schools in recent years. In February 2025, a gunman killed 10 people at an adult education center, Euronews reported.