Swedish Police Shoot Man Outside Royal Palace
An armed individual was shot by police outside Stockholm's Royal Palace after reportedly approaching guards with a knife and asking to be shot.
Swedish police shot a man outside the Royal Palace in Stockholm on Tuesday after he reportedly approached palace guards armed with a knife and asked to be shot. The man was struck in the leg and taken to a hospital with serious injuries.
"The man was hit and taken to hospital," Stockholm police spokeswoman Susanna Rinaldo said. Rinaldo initially declined to specify the type of weapon involved, stating that the police operation was ongoing but that there was no danger to the public.
In a later update, police announced they had launched an investigation into "aggravated threats against a public official" and an aggravated knife offense, without providing further details.
Approximately 20 police cars responded to the scene outside the Royal Palace following the incident. Local newspaper Aftonbladet reported that four to five shots were heard. Witness Simon Wärulf told the publication that it appeared police had subdued someone and that police dogs may have been involved.
Swedish politician Arin Karapet posted on X, formerly Twitter, that sounds resembling gunshots were heard outside the palace, followed by a police operation.
A large area outside the Royal Palace, specifically at Lejonbacken, an outdoor space north of the palace, has been cordoned off.
It is understood that no members of the Swedish Royal Family were present at the palace during the time of the shooting. The Royal Palace serves as the official residence of King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden.