At least one person has lost their life and several more have been injured this Friday in an attack carried out by a man armed with a sword at a secondary education institute in the Swedish locality of Fagersta, located northwest of Stockholm.
The head of the local Police, Tommy Alriksson, has confirmed these figures in a press conference held hours after the incident, in which he detailed that the lifeless body of the victim was located by the agents upon entering the Brinell institute, the scene of the event.
Regarding the injured, he indicated that there are three people, two of them in "serious" condition. According to local authorities, the three affected are minors between the ages of 12 and 17, who remain hospitalized and under medical care.
The Police had previously reported the arrest of the alleged attacker, who was hit by a bullet in one leg during the operation deployed at this educational center, where more than 400 students study.
According to the Swedish newspaper "Aftonbladet," the suspect would be an ex-student of the center, 18 years old, with a history of assault and mental health issues, although these details have not yet been officially corroborated by the authorities.
The police received shortly after 14:00 hours (local time) a report about a "suspected ongoing deadly act of violence" at a school, explained the Police spokesperson, Pelle Vamstad, to the aforementioned media.
The Prime Minister of Sweden, Ulf Kristersson, has expressed on social media his sorrow for a "terrible" attack against a school, which "shocks" both the neighbors of Fagersta and the entire country.
"Our thoughts today are with them, as well as with their family and friends. We also think of all the other people who were at the school: students and teaching staff whose school day turned into a nightmare," he added in a broader message.
The Swedish leader has conveyed his recognition to "all" the people who participated in the operation "for saving lives (...) comforting and protecting" and has emphasized that the Ministry of Justice has maintained "permanent" contact with the Police since the first alert.
In this line, he has pointed out that the investigators continue to work "intensely" after an attack whose motives are unknown for now, which is why he has "strongly" requested the citizens to allow the Police to carry out their work "without interference".
In addition, he has made a call for unity to "support" those who need it on a "gloomy day" for Sweden. "Think of all those who are affected today and embrace your loved ones with special affection precisely tonight," he concluded.