Sweden detains 16-year-old on suspicion of aiding school sword attack that killed teenager

A 16-year-old boy was remanded in custody on Thursday on suspicion of aiding and abetting murder and attempted murder in connection with a sword attack at Brinellskolan school in Fagersta, Sweden, on Aug. 21, according to Västmanlands District Court. The teenager participated in the detention hearing via video link and was not present in the courtroom in Västerås .

The boy, whose identity is under court-ordered secrecy, denies the allegations, his defense attorney said. Prosecutor Ann-Sofie Trossing confirmed the suspect is 16 and declined to elaborate on the investigation, stating only that the alleged offenses occurred between May 1 and Aug. 21, suggesting a planning period of over three months .

The attack at Brinellskolan left a 17-year-old girl dead and three teenage boys injured, two of them seriously. An 18-year-old man, Liam Nebel, was previously remanded in custody on suspicion of murder and attempted murder for carrying out the sword attack. The newly detained 16-year-old had no connection to the school and was not present during the assault, police said .

Swedish media reported that the 16-year-old and Nebel communicated via encrypted chats, with the teenager allegedly encouraging the attack. Additional reports by TV4 indicate the 16-year-old had discussed plans for a separate school attack in the Stockholm area, though the target school remains unspecified .

Trossing stated that the investigation will continue with further interviews, collection of evidence, and technical examinations. Police conducted a raid in the Stockholm area over the weekend, arresting the suspect at his home, according to Aftonbladet .

The school attended by the 16-year-old has not been contacted by police, a municipal press officer said. The boy’s detention hearing was partially closed to the public, and his identity remains confidential under court order .