Sweden Sword Attack Suspect Posted Sword Photo on TikTok 20 Minutes Before Attack

Police are now looking at a TikTok account they believe to be owned by the main suspect in the Sweden sword attack that killed a 17-year-old girl and wounded three boys. Two of the boys, aged 12 and 17, were seriously injured. The suspect reportedly posted a bathroom selfie on the account 20 minutes before the incident.

Media have been careful not to name the suspect, merely identifying him as an 18-year-old man. The suspect is now in jail on murder and attempted murder charges.

'The 18-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder in Fagersta on August 21 was remanded in custody on Sunday by the Vastmanland District Court, on probable cause suspected of the offences,' the Swedish prosecution team said in a statement.

Update on the Ongoing Investigation

The suspect entered Brinellskolan (Brinell school) in the town of Fagersta on Friday, 21 August, and launched the sword attack. Classes had just started after the summer break. The suspect was reportedly shot at the scene and arrested immediately after.

Police chief Tommy Alriksson described tne inquiry as being 'in an early and intensive phase,' telling reporters: 'We are looking into several leads... We are trying, of course, to remain as open-minded as possible.'

A TikTok account linked to the investigation has been taken down. Online sleuths have identified the account, which had 3,586 followers and close to 50,000 likes, and noted that it shared several videos depicting school attacks.

One video referenced the 2015 Trollhättan school attack, in which 21-year-old Anton Lundin Pettersson killed three people and wounded two others with a sword at Kronans grundskola (Kronans Primary School). Pettersson was shot dead by police when he tried to charge at them with the sword.

Investigators believe the Fagersta suspect may have attempted to imitate Pettersson, as he also carried a sword and wore a helmet. Police have searched two addresses linked to the suspect and conducted more than 80 interviews.

Alriksson also said he wants to question almost all members of the school community, which comprises around 450 students and staff.

Online Communities

'The investigators are looking into various online communities which might have egged on the suspect to carry out the attacks,' a police source said. Officials noted that mass shootings around the globe have been linked to online networks.

The True Crime Community (TCC), for example, is an online fandom that posts and discusses high-profile mass killers. According to reports, some of its members have committed crimes inspired by school attacks elsewhere.

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has described the group as distinct from the usual true crime audience. 'Unlike typical true crime enthusiasts who engage with content about criminal psychology, justice, and victim empowerment, the TCC is built around the admiration, veneration, and, in more extreme cases, emulation of violent criminals, particularly mass shooters.'

The account @Bx on X, formerly Twitter, noted that a bathroom selfie has been a recurring motif among attackers. The account, known for researching online extremist groups, said: 'Authorities say the 18-year-old attacker took a bathroom selfie and uploaded it to TikTok, where he had posts dedicated to other mass killers. These details connect the attack to the "TCC" community.'