Sweden probes online links after deadly school attack

Swedish police are investigating whether an 18-year-old man accused of attacking students at a high school in Fagersta

Swedish police are investigating whether an 18-year-old man accused of attacking students at a high school in Fagersta had links to online communities associated with school violence.

The attack took place on Friday in the central Swedish town, where the suspect allegedly used a sword to attack students. One teenage girl was killed, while two teenage boys suffered serious injuries.

The victim’s parents confirmed her death to a local newspaper. Police arrested the suspect following the attack.

Investigators are also examining a TikTok account that uploaded a photograph of a sword shortly before the incident. According to police, the account may have belonged to the suspect. The photograph was reportedly taken inside a restroom at the school.

The account was created about a month ago and was removed after the attack. Investigators are examining material that allegedly referred to previous mass-violence incidents in Sweden and the 2011 Norway attacks carried out by far-right extremist Anders Behring Breivik.

The account also reportedly mentioned a 2015 school attack in Trollhättan, Sweden, in which a masked attacker killed a teaching assistant and two students before being shot dead by police.

Authorities are now examining whether online communities may have influenced or encouraged the suspect before the Fagersta attack.

Prosecutors have ordered the suspect to remain in custody while investigators pursue murder and multiple attempted-murder allegations.

Prosecutor Ann-Sofie Trossing said the investigation was at an intensive stage, with police conducting interviews and collecting evidence. She declined to provide further details because of the ongoing inquiry.