Several people have been injured after a man armed with a machete or a sword entered Brinellskolan in Fagersta on Friday afternoon. The suspected perpetrator has been detained, and according to media reports, was shot in the leg by police. Several schools and municipal facilities were placed in lockdown following the attack.

Police and emergency services were alerted to Brinellskolan shortly after 2 p.m. on Friday following reports of ongoing deadly violence. According to Fagersta Municipality, an armed person had entered the high school and injured several people. It is still unclear how many people have been injured or how serious the injuries are.

The suspected perpetrator was apprehended by police. Several media outlets report that the man was shot in the leg by police. There have been different reports regarding the weapon the man was carrying – the municipality described it as a sword, while media report that it was a machete.

Major Police Operation at the School

A large number of police resources were deployed to Brinellskolan. The special intervention unit participated, and a police helicopter was seen circling above the area. Police were simultaneously searching the school’s buildings.

Brinellskolan, a high school with just under 500 students, was placed in lockdown. As of around 3:45 p.m., students had still not been allowed to leave the building. Several other schools and facilities in Fagersta were also locked down, including Risbroskolan, Olympen, Fagerstahallen, Skogsgläntan, Björksta, Prästkragen, and Norrbybacken.

Fagersta Municipality moved into crisis management and announced that crisis support would be provided. The municipality also planned a press conference at 5 p.m. Worried family members gathered outside the affected schools. A father who was outside Risbroskolan told Fagersta-Posten that his child had called him after the incident.

– He called in panic and told me what had happened, he says. It feels terrible, the father says.

Rescue Services Searched for the Injured

The rescue services participated in the operation to assist ambulance staff and to search the building for people who might need care. Tony Ärlegård with the rescue services told Expressen that rescue personnel could not comment on the condition of the injured but that the work focused on finding any injured persons inside the building and getting them to ambulances.

Government Monitoring the Situation

Minister of Justice Gunnar Strömmer (M) stated that the government is in contact with the police regarding the incident.

– The police are on the scene and working very intensively with the incident. The government is in close contact with the police and is continuously following the situation, he told Expressen.

Other party leaders and government representatives have also commented on the attack. Deputy Prime Minister and Christian Democratic party leader Ebba Busch writes on X: “Horrible news from a school in Fagersta. Today our thoughts are with the students, their families and all school staff. Healthcare staff and police have our full support in their important work.”

Green Party spokesperson Daniel Helldén writes: “What has happened in Fagersta is terribly tragic. When students and school staff are exposed to violence it touches us all. Amanda and I are closely following developments and are thinking of all those affected.”

Liberal Party leader Simona Mohamsson writes: “I have received horrible news from a school in Fagersta. At the moment a police operation is underway and the government is monitoring the situation. My thoughts are with all students, teachers, and parents.”