Masked swordsman kills teacher, wounds students in Sweden

A masked swordsman attacked a school in Sweden, killing one adult
(Image credit: Stig Hedström/AFP/Getty Images)

A masked attacker described as a man in black clothes with a long sword attacked students and teachers Thursday morning at a school in Trollhättan, Sweden, 45 minutes north of Gothenburg, police said. One teacher was killed and at least three others — another teacher and two students, ages 11 and 15 — were wounded, before police shot the suspect. The wounded, including the suspected attacker, were all being treated at the Trollhättan hospital. The police have not publicly identified the alleged killer, about age 20, but they are searching his home for clues.

The attack took place at a cafe on the grounds of Kronan school, for children 7 to 15, and a 14-year-old student named Laith told a Swedish television station that some students initially though the masked man with a sword with a joke, until they realized he wasn't and fled to classrooms or out of the building. A police spokesman tells NBC News that there is no information pointing to terrorism, but that police have "a lot of questions" and little idea of a possible motive.

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Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.