‘Sword-Wielding’ Attacker Storms High School in Sweden

Several people were injured Friday after a man armed with a sword allegedly attacked a high school in Sweden, triggering a massive police response and lockdowns across the area.

The terrifying violence unfolded at Brinell High School in Fagersta, a town in central Sweden about 100 miles northwest of Stockholm.

Police said they received an emergency call shortly after 2 p.m. local time reporting suspected “deadly violence” at the school. Officers rushed to the campus and took one person into custody.

The school has roughly 450 students between the ages of 16 and 20 and had only recently reopened following summer break.

Several people were injured during the attack, although authorities had not immediately released the exact number of victims or detailed the severity of their injuries.

The dramatic incident sparked an enormous emergency response, with police officers, ambulances and other resources flooding the area. Nearby schools and public facilities were also placed under lockdown as authorities worked to secure the town.

Police later said there was no continuing threat to the public.

Authorities were still working to determine exactly what happened inside the school and what may have motivated the attack.

Swedish Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer said the national government was closely following the unfolding investigation.

“We have been informed of a serious incident in Fagersta,” Strömmer said, adding that police were working intensively at the scene and government officials remained in close contact with investigators.

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson also addressed the shocking violence, expressing sympathy for those affected and urging people to give emergency crews room to do their jobs.

The attack comes as Sweden continues to grapple with concerns over violence at schools following several deadly incidents in recent years.

Police have launched a preliminary investigation and are expected to examine surveillance footage and other evidence as they try to piece together how the frightening attack unfolded.