TROLLHATTAN (Sweden) • A masked man brandishing a sword broke into a school in Sweden yesterday, killing two people and seriously wounding two others before being shot dead by police.
The attack took place in the south-western town of Trollhattan at a school for children aged between six and 15, shocking a nation where such violence is rare.
Media reports said the assailant was wearing a Star Wars mask, and school children initially thought it was a prank or a Halloween costume.
One teacher was found dead at the school, while a second victim died in hospital several hours later. Swedish media reported the second victim was a young boy.
The assailant was reportedly a 21-year-old man from Trollhattan.
"When we first saw him, we thought it was a joke. He was wearing a mask and black clothes and (carrying) a long sword. Some students wanted to take their picture with him and feel the sword," one unidentified student told news agency TT.
The motive for the attack remains unclear.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
