The boy who was detained for aggravated unlawful threats in Borlänge has been released, and the preliminary investigation is closed. According to the Swedish Prosecution Authority, there is no reason to assume that a crime subject to public prosecution has been committed. Kammaråklagare Joel Henning stated that after reviewing the collected material, it can be established that there is no support that the boy uttered or wrote anything constituting an unlawful threat. He added that the information was based on misinterpretations and false rumors, and that the boy is innocent.
The drama began with a message in a private chat group that was misinterpreted and led to false rumors, according to multiple reports. Newspaper Aftonbladet reported that the threat involved a 'school shooting', which had been circulated on social media. Kammaråklagare Joel Henning confirmed that the information was based on misinterpretations and false rumors. Rumor spreading is common in such incidents, according to major media sources. The misinterpretations and incorrect information caused the drama that led to over 20 schools in Borlänge being closed on Wednesday.
After reviewing the collected material, it can be established that there is no support that the boy uttered or wrote anything constituting an unlawful threat.
The Borlänge municipality called the decision to close schools 'a precautionary measure due to a potential threat of violence against school activities.' The municipality listed 16 preschools, elementary and secondary schools that were to remain shut for the day. A number of private schools decided independently to close, and some private schools also kept their doors closed after being told of the threat. According to public broadcaster SVT, the school closure affected some 3,000 children. School closures affected thousands of students in Borlänge's municipal preschools and primary and secondary schools, according to research sources.
Police opened a preliminary investigation into serious unlawful threats against a group. A teenage boy was arrested on Wednesday on reasonable suspicion of making a serious unlawful threat against a group, according to research sources. The teenage boy had been missing for the past few days but was found around noon on Wednesday, according to research sources. Police located and took into custody the individual who had led to the assessment of a potential threat to schools, according to the Borlänge municipality. The individual was a man in his upper teens, police said. At the time of arrest, police said it was too early to say whether the threat has any substance or not. However, later the prosecutor stated there is no reason for concern or any ongoing threat linked to the case.
The information was based on misinterpretations and false rumors.
Police now assess that the threat no longer exists, according to the Borlänge municipality. The Borlänge municipality said schools would resume normal operations on Thursday. Police continuously receive tips and intelligence about threats against schools; most are deemed unserious and without substance, according to major media sources. Police always assess incoming threats against school environments and may take operational measures, according to major media sources.
The public should contact the police with information rather than spreading rumors, according to major media sources. According to Dala-Demokraten, Joel Henning described the incident as 'nothing.' According to swedenherald.com, Joel Henning said there is no reason for concern or any ongoing threat linked to the case. According to swedenherald.com, Joel Henning described police carrying out 'broad, methodical work' to build a picture of the incident. According to swedenherald.com, Joel Henning described that several interrogations are taking place and the suspect will also be questioned again. According to www.thelocal.se, Jörgen Olsson described that students in the city had received information on Monday that 'raises concern.' According to www.thelocal.se, Jörgen Olsson described that late on Tuesday evening, this information reached municipal employees. According to www.thelocal.se, Jimmy Spolander described a 'threat against school operations.'
The boy is innocent.
Several unknowns remain. The exact content of the message in the private chat group that sparked the rumors has not been disclosed. The reasons for the boy's disappearance for several days before being found are unclear. How the misinterpretations and false rumors spread so widely as to cause over 20 schools to close is also not fully understood. It is unknown whether any other individuals were involved in spreading the false information. Specific measures to prevent similar incidents in the future have not been announced.
It was nothing.
There is no reason for concern or any ongoing threat linked to the case.
Police are carrying out 'broad, methodical work' to build a picture of the incident.
Several interrogations are taking place; the suspect will also be questioned again.
Students in the city had received information on Monday that 'raises concern'.
Late on Tuesday evening, this information reached municipal employees.
There was a 'threat against school operations'.