Solbergaskolan in Visby, Sweden, maintained normal operations on Wednesday despite a threatening graffiti message warning of a potential school shooting on March 25. According to SVT Nyheter, the threat was discovered in early March through graffiti that indicated a school shooting would occur at the school.
School principal Erik Rudstedt stated that after consultation with police, the school's crisis group, and regional security functions, the decision was made to keep the school open. "We are confident that students and school staff should be able to come to school and especially that students should be able to receive the education they are entitled to according to the school law," Rudstedt wrote in information to guardians.
We are confident that students and school staff should be able to come to school and especially that students should be able to receive the education they are entitled to according to the school law
Enhanced security measures were implemented, including security guards, area police, and field group personnel on site. The school also restricted entry to a limited number of entrances as part of additional safety efforts. Police have reportedly not assessed the threat as "sharp" or imminent, but the incident has been reported to authorities.
Rudstedt described the school day as calm, noting that while absenteeism was higher than a normal day, it was not catastrophic. Some students chose to stay home following the threat. The school now has the ability to search bags if there is suspicion of criminal activity or attempted crimes.