Swedish sword attack victim was 17-year-old girl, police say

A 17-year-old girl was among the victims of a deadly sword attack at a high school in central Sweden, police have confirmed. The incident occurred at Brinell School in Fagersta, where two other students, aged 12 and 17, sustained serious injuries along with another person who was injured less severely. An 18-year-old man, who has not been identified, was arrested in connection with the attack but remains unnamed.

Authorities are treating the incident as both murder and attempted murder. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and opposition leader Magdalena Andersson visited the school on Saturday morning, where flower tributes were laid in memory of the victims. Students had only recently returned to the classroom after the summer break when the attack unfolded on Friday afternoon.

Police reported firing shots upon arrival at the scene, though it is unclear if the suspect was struck before his arrest. The suspect was reportedly wearing a helmet and is believed to be a former student. A state of emergency was declared in the region Friday but was lifted by Saturday. The school, with just under 500 students, is located 170km north-west of Stockholm.

Police have conducted two house searches in connection with the investigation. On Friday, Prime Minister Kristersson characterized the attack as a "serious incident," stating that while the motive remains unknown, police are working intensively. King Carl XVI Gustaf expressed his dismay and sadness upon hearing the news.