STOCKHOLM – A man armed with an ax attacked and injured eight people in a town in southern Sweden on Wednesday before being shot and arrested, police said. Prime Minister Stefan Lofven said a possible terrorist motive was being investigated.
“In light of what has emerged so far in the police investigation, prosecutors have launched a preliminary investigation into terrorist crimes,” he said, but did not elaborate.
Shortly after his statement, investigating officers told a news conference of the police that they had begun a preliminary investigation into attempted murder, with details “that let us investigate terrorist motives.”
“But at the moment I can not give more details about it,” said local police chief Malena Grann. Police said the man, who is in his twenties, attacked people in the small town of Vetlanda, about 118 kilometers southeast of Gothenburg, Sweden’s second largest city. His motive is not immediately known.
The man was shot by police, who said the condition of the attack and of the offender is not immediately known. Officials did not provide the identity of the suspect, who was taken to a hospital.
Local police chief Jonas Lindell said “the injuries did not appear to be life-threatening” but could not give further details. The incident took place in the center of Vetlanda and the police said they received calls about a man who assaulted people with an ax.
Lofven condemns ‘this horrific act’ and adds that the Swedish Homeland Security Agency, SAPO, is also working on the case. “They are continuously assessing whether there are reasons to take safety-enhancing measures and are prepared to do so if necessary,” he said in a statement.