Police shoot armed man outside Stockholm Palace

On the evening of Tuesday, October 6, 2026, Swedish police opened fire on an armed man outside the Royal Palace in Stockholm. Authorities were alerted around 18:30 local time to reports of a suspect behaving aggressively in the Lejonbacken area. Approximately 20 police vehicles responded to the scene, and the area was cordoned off with the support of drones.

According to initial reports, the suspect was armed with a knife and allegedly challenged guards to shoot him. Before the police intervened with live ammunition, the guards reportedly attempted to neutralize him using a taser. The man was wounded in the legs during the police operation and was subsequently transported to a hospital. Police officials confirmed that his life is not in danger and that there is no further threat to the public. The Royal Palace serves as the official residence of King Carl XVI Gustaf.

Investigations into the exact circumstances of the incident are ongoing. While details regarding the perpetrator's motives remain under examination, authorities have cleared the scene, and no other injuries have been reported among bystanders or law enforcement personnel.