Breaking in Sweden: 8 Wounded in Knife Attack: Police Shoot Suspect

Vetlanda

A few hours ago in the Swedish town of Vetlanda, an unidentified suspect in his 20s went on a stabbing rampage before being shot and wounded by police. Eight people have been injured. The below article from Aftonbladet is translated by Fousesquawk. Note: This article is still being updated by Aftonbladet.

 https://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/7KRP6K/atta-skadade-efter-man-gick-till-attack--skots-av-polis

by Matilda Aprea Malmqvist

8 wounded after man goes on attack-shot by police

Posted less than two hours ago-Updated: Just now

News

A man in his 20s went on the attack in the afternoon against several persons in central Vetlanda. The man was shot by police in connection with the arrest and was taken to the hospital.

"8 persons have been attacked, some of them have been taken by ambulance. There are both serious and light injuries, " says Angelica Israelsson Silfver, police spokeswoman for East Region.

Police are classifying the incident as a suspected terror crime.

Just before 3 pm, Wednesday afternoon, a man in his 20s attacked several persons with a weapon on Bangårdsgatan (Street) in central Vetlanda. According to Vetlanda-Posten, the suspect attacked people with a knife.

It was reported that at least 4 persons were injured during the attack. But now police have made contact with a total of 8 persons who have been affected in various ways.

" Some are seriously wounded and some are lightly wounded, but nobody has died," says Angelica Israelsson Silfver, police press spokeswoman in Region East.

Suspected terrorist crime

Police shot the suspected perpetrator in connection with the arrest.

"Police discharged their weapons, and the suspect was wounded. The extent of his injury is unclear, but he is alive, " says Thomas Agnevik, press spokesman for police in Region East.

The man was taken to the hospital where he is being guarded by police. The incident was being classified as attempted murder, but has been changed to a suspected terrorist crime.

"The motive is still unclear, the man has not yet questioned," says Angelica Israelsson Silfver.

At the request of the police, the (Swedish) Transport Administration has decided on a train stoppage.

"It may be because the scene of the crime is near the train station; that is sometimes done because the police don't want witnesses or perpetrators to disappear on the train".

Säpo informed (Security Police)

Security Police are informed about the case in Vetlanda. 

"We cooperate with police, and if it turns out to be a terrorist crime, we will become more involved. When it involves suspected terrorist crime, it is normal that it is Security Police who will investigate it," says Karl Melin, press chief for Security Police.

It is presently unclear what makes the police consider the case as terrorism.

Police actions being investigated.

Police have 15 patrols in the area and report that more are on the way. They work mainly to question witnesses and secure evidence. They also urge people who may have seen something of interest to the police to make contact.

There is also an investigation into police actions in connection with the arrest. The scene is closed off and being investigated by prosecutors with the Special Prosecutor's Chamber, which is why police will not comment further on the arrest and why police opened fire.

Damberg: "Terrible event"

Interior Minister Mikael Damberg (Social Democrats) calls the day's events in Vetlanda, "terrible".

"Several persons are seriously injured. This is a terrible incident and my thoughts go out to the affected persons and their families. Right now, it is unclear exactly what happened and what the motivation was. Police have arrested a suspected perpetrator and have initiated a special incident (investigation) to handle the developments of the incident and secure the safety in Vetlanda," states Mikael Damberg in a press statement.

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