Devastation as teacher and student die following shocking school attack

A community in Sweden is in shock following the news that a teacher and student have died after being attacked by a masked man in a school near Gothenburg.

According to police reports, the incident took place at 10am this morning and came to a dramatic end when the assailant was shot dead by police officers.

It is understood that the attack took place in the school's cafe area, with many students initially under the impression that it was an elaborate Halloween prank.

Speaking to Swedish media, one said: "When we first saw him we thought it was a joke. He had a mask and black clothes and a long sword."

"There were students who wanted to go with him and hold the sword," he explained as he recalled the shocking events of the morning.

Another student of the school in Trollhättan offered a horrifying insight into the incident, telling reporters: "One of my classmates’ sisters called her to warn her that there was a murderer at the school. So we locked the door to the classroom, but our teacher was still outside in the corridor."

"We wanted to warn him, so a few of us went outside and then I saw the murderer, he was wearing a mask and had a sword. Our teacher got stabbed," he related.

With admirable courageous in light of such a terrifying event, he explained how close he came to death, saying: "The murderer started chasing me, I ran into another classroom. If I had not run, I would have been murdered."

Police have thus far not established a motive for the attack.

Our thoughts go out to all those affected by today's heartbreaking events.