Man Wielding Sword Attacks School in Sweden, Killing 1

A new school year in a small Swedish town was shattered Friday when an 18-year-old armed with a sword stormed a high school, killing one person and wounding three others, police said. Students described scenes of panic as officers flooded the building and the school went into a roughly five-hour lockdown, with other schools and public buildings nearby also temporarily sealed, Reuters reports. Police said they shot and detained the suspect at Brinell high school in Fagersta, a town of about 13,000, shortly after the attack began. More than 400 students were in class at the time, per the AP.

Two of the injured are teenage boys in serious condition; a third victim has been released from the hospital, officials said. "We have no reason at this time to believe that there are multiple perpetrators," the police chief said. A murder investigation has begun, and Sweden's national police said investigators have already carried out two house searches in connection with the suspect. Officials said the priority is now supporting students and staff. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson canceled a planned speech and posted that his thoughts were with those affected, while Sweden's king and opposition leader Magdalena Andersson both issued statements expressing solidarity with the town.