Swedish Police Probe Online Links After Teen Girl Killed in School Sword Attack

STOCKHOLM: Swedish police are investigating whether an 18-year-old man accused of attacking students at a high school with a sword was connected to online communities that promote or glorify school violence, following an attack that killed a 17-year-old girl and seriously injured two teenage boys in the central town of Fagersta.

The attack took place on Friday at a high school in Fagersta, where the suspect allegedly assaulted several students before being arrested by police. Prosecutors have ordered his detention on suspicion of murder and multiple counts of attempted murder.

Investigators are examining whether a TikTok account that posted a photograph of a sword about 20 minutes before the attack belonged to the suspect. According to Swedish media reports, the photograph appeared to have been taken inside the school.

Police are also examining material previously posted on the account, including references to earlier mass-violence incidents in Sweden and to Norwegian far-right extremist Anders Behring Breivik. Investigators are seeking to establish whether online communities may have influenced or encouraged the suspect to carry out the attack.

The incident has shocked Fagersta and prompted several Swedish political leaders to suspend campaign activities ahead of the September 13 general election. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and opposition leader Magdalena Andersson travelled to the town to offer condolences to the victim’s family and meet those affected by the attack.

Police later clarified that, contrary to earlier reports, the suspect was not injured during his arrest. Authorities said police firearms were used during the operation, but the suspect did not require medical treatment.

Prosecutor Ann-Sofie Trossing said the investigation remained at an intensive stage, with authorities conducting interviews and gathering evidence while declining to provide further details.

The attack has renewed concerns about school safety in Sweden. It follows the country’s deadliest school shooting, in Örebro in February 2025, when 10 people were killed. Sweden also experienced a fatal sword attack at a school in Trollhättan in 2015.

Authorities continue to investigate the suspect’s background, possible online connections and the circumstances surrounding the attack as the community mourns the death of the teenage girl and supports the injured students.