Fagersta attack highlights history of violence at Swedish schools
Saturday 22nd August 2026 on 07:45 in
Sweden
One person has died and at least three people were injured in an attack at Brinellskolan in Fagersta, SVT reports. A man in his late teens has been arrested on suspicion of carrying out the attack.
Earlier high-profile attacks at Swedish schools include:
Örebro, 4 February 2025: Ten people were shot dead and six were injured at Campus Risbergska, a school campus, by a 35-year-old man. He took his own life shortly after shooting at police.
Malmö, 21 March 2022: Two women were killed at an upper-secondary school in central Malmö by an 18-year-old student armed with a knife, axe and hammer. He was sentenced to life in prison by Malmö District Court.
Kristianstad, 10 January 2022: A student at an upper-secondary school was seriously injured and a teacher in their 50s suffered minor injuries when a 16-year-old boy attacked them with a knife in a classroom. The boy was sentenced to three years in secure youth care for three counts of attempted murder and two counts of gross unlawful threat.
Eslöv, 19 August 2021: A 15-year-old boy wearing combat clothing, a skeleton mask and a helmet attacked a teacher at his school with a knife. He was sentenced to two years and six months in secure youth care for attempted murder and four counts of gross unlawful threat.
Varberg, 28 January 2021: A man in his 30s entered an upper-secondary school armed with a knife and axe. A 17-year-old student suffered an injury to the hand. The perpetrator was sentenced to forensic psychiatric care.
Stockholm, 13 December 2017: A 17-year-old student at an upper-secondary school in Enskede, in southern Stockholm, died after being stabbed by a 16-year-old student. Another person was injured. The perpetrator was convicted of several crimes and was found to have a serious mental disorder.
Broby, 11 January 2016: A 15-year-old boy was stabbed to death at Göingeskolan in Broby, in Skåne. The perpetrator was a 14-year-old boy.
Trollhättan, 22 October 2015: A 17-year-old student, a 42-year-old teacher and a 20-year-old teaching assistant were killed in an attack at a compulsory school. The 21-year-old perpetrator, who was armed with a sword, was shot by police and later died in hospital.