10
Loading video...
By Michael D. Carroll and Shannon McDonagh
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
An 18-year-old student fatally stabbed two individuals and critically injured another at a high school in Spisska Stara Ves, a northern Slovak town with a population of around 17,000, near the border with Poland, authorities reported Thursday.
Police confirmed the suspect initially fled the scene but was detained shortly after the attack. Local media identified the victims as a deputy principal and a student, while the critically injured individual is receiving medical treatment.
...
Read More on News
Why It Matters
Incidents of school violence are rare in Slovakia—the last prominent one of this nature was in 2020, where another former student killed a deputy principal and wounded five people in Vrutky.
What to Know
The suspect, who fled the scene following the attack, was apprehended shortly afterward, police said. The victims included a teacher and a student, Slovak media reported, with another student currently in critical condition.
What Was the Response to the Attack?
Emergency responders were dispatched to the scene around 1 p.m. local time, said Slovak emergency services spokesperson Danka Capakova.
Slovakia's Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok and Education Minister Tomáš Drucker visited the town to offer condolences to the victims' families. Drucker pledged to implement measures aimed at preventing future attacks and enhancing safety for students and teachers.
How Violent Is Slovakia?
This is the second major violent incident to take place in the country in a year—Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico survived an assassination attempt in May last year when he was shot multiple times following a political event. The attack, which left him in serious but stable condition after a five-hour surgery, was reportedly politically motivated, with authorities charging a suspect who acted alone.
What People Are Saying
Police said in a statement published by the BBC: "We assure the public that all necessary measures are being taken to make you feel safe."
The Interior Ministry said in a statement "Thanks to the quick detention of the suspect, there is at present no immediate danger and police are taking further necessary measures to secure safety."
President Peter Pellegrini's statement on X in full: "It is a true tragedy what happened today at the gymnasium in Spišská Stará Ves. Whatever the attacker's motive, it has left two dead and another critically injured. No problem in the world can be solved with a knife or any other weapon."
"A peaceful and civilized resolution to any disputes, without hatred and violence, must be the goal of the entire nation and society. Everyone should contribute to this effort so that the atmosphere and level of interpersonal relationships do not create a space for violent acts with human victims. I extend my sincere condolences to the bereaved and wish the injured a speedy recovery."
What Happens Next
Further details regarding the motive behind the attack remain unavailable as investigations continue.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines