Swedish authorities have detained a second man in connection with last week’s deadly attack at Brinell High School in Fagersta, adding a new development to an investigation that has already led to the arrest of an 18-year-old suspected attacker.
The August 21 attack left a 17-year-old girl dead and three boys injured after an assailant armed with a sword attacked people at the central Swedish school. The second suspect is being investigated for allegedly assisting in murder and attempted murder.
Second Suspect Held Over Alleged Assistance
Swedish prosecutors said the newly detained man is suspected of aiding both the murder and attempted murder charges connected to the Fagersta attack.
Authorities have not publicly explained what role the second suspect may have played. Police said he does not have a connection to the school and was not at the scene when the attack occurred. He was arrested elsewhere during the subsequent investigation.
Prosecutors are expected to decide by noon Thursday whether to request that a court formally detain the man or release him.
The development comes days after an 18-year-old man was taken into custody and later formally detained on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. Investigators believe he was responsible for the attack at Brinell High School.
17-Year-Old Girl Killed in Fagersta Attack
Police responded to reports of an ongoing deadly incident at the school shortly after 2 p.m. on August 21. Officers arrived within minutes and apprehended the suspected attacker. Police also fired their weapons during the arrest operation, although the suspect was not struck.
One 17-year-old girl died in the attack, while three boys were injured. Two of the boys were seriously hurt, while the third suffered less severe injuries and was later released from hospital.
The motive for the attack has not been established. Investigators are also examining whether the 18-year-old suspect had connections to online communities associated with promoting or glorifying school violence.
Investigation Continues Into Possible Connections
The arrest of a second suspect marks a significant development in the investigation, particularly because police initially said they had no reason to believe that anyone else had carried out the attack.
Authorities are continuing to interview witnesses and gather evidence to establish exactly what happened before, during and after the violence.
The case has also renewed attention on previous deadly attacks at Swedish schools, including the 2025 mass shooting in Örebro and earlier attacks in Malmö and Trollhättan.
For now, prosecutors have provided few details about the second man’s alleged involvement, and investigators are continuing to establish whether he played a direct or supporting role in the events surrounding the Fagersta school attack.
