Ax wielder injures 8 in Sweden before being shot by cops
Sweden is reeling from a horrific attack perpetrated by an ax-wielding maniac that left eight people injured.
The harrowing assault occurred early Wednesday morning in the town of Vetlanda, located about 120 miles southeast of the nation’s second-largest city of Göteborg.
The suspect, who has not been identified, was arrested after being shot by cops, reported The Associated Press.
“We heard a scream from the street. Then we saw a man enter the store, shouting that he had been stabbed,” flower shop owner Asa Karlqvist told Vetlanda-Posten. “Blood was pouring from his shoulder so we got towels and applied pressure to the wound.”
Sweden’s Prime Minister Stefan Löfven stated the suspect’s motive could be terrorism.
“In light of what has emerged so far in the police investigation, prosecutors have initiated a preliminary investigation into terrorist crimes,” said Löfven.
Investigators at a police press conference said they had begun a preliminary probe into attempted murder.
After the suspect — described as a man in his 20s — was shot, he was transported to a hospital in what cops described as likely nonlife-threatening injuries.
The condition of his victims is not immediately known, added police.
Officials said there are currently five crime scenes in the town of approximately 13,000 residents. They first became aware of the attack after being bombarded by callers claiming a man was assaulting people with an ax.
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While condemning the heinous act, Löfven noted that Sweden’s domestic security agency was on the case.
“They continuously assess whether there are reasons to take security-enhancing measures and are prepared to do so if necessary,” said the prime minister.
