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.
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Police are seen in the area after several people were attacked on Wednesday 3 March 2021 in Vetlanda, Sweden. (Mikael Fritzon / TT News Agency via AP)
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 prompt us to investigate terrorist motives.”
“But at the moment I can not give more details about it,” said Malena Grann, regional chief of police.
According to police, the man and his twenty people attacked in the small town of Vetlanda, about 190 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 hospital.
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Jonas Lindell, local police chief, said “it appears the injuries are not life-threatening” but could not give further details.
The events took place in the center of Vetlanda and police said they were called just after 1400 GMT about a man who assaulted people with an ax. Police also said there are five crime scenes in this city of about 13,000.
Lofven condemns ‘this horrific act’ and adds that the domestic security agency SAPO of Sweden is also working on the case.
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“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.