Swedish Police shoot 'armed man' after he was seen outside King's Royal Palace 'with weapon'

Published: 17:13 EDT, 6 October 2026 | Updated: 17:15 EDT, 6 October 2026 Swedish police have shot a man outside the Royal Palace in Stockholm who was reportedly armed with a knife.According to local reports, the man approached palace guards armed with the weapon and asked to be shot.He was reportedly shot in the leg and was taken to hospital with serious injuries.'The man was hit and taken to hospital,' Stockholm police spokeswoman Susanna Rinaldo said.Ms Rinaldo initially declined to specify the type of weapon involved, adding that the police operation remained ongoing but that there was no danger to the public.In a later update, police said they had launched an investigation into 'aggravated threats against a public official' and an aggravated knife offence without providing further details. Around 20 police cars arrived at the Royal Palace after the incident, according to Aftonbladet, which also claims that four to five shots were heard.Speaking to the Swedish daily newspaper, witness Simon Wärulf said: 'It looked like the police had wrestled someone down the hill on their way up to the castle. It sounded like there were police dogs involved too.' According to local reports, the man approached guards outside the Royal Palace in Stockholm armed with a knife and asked to be shot Around 20 police cars arrived at the Royal Palace after the incident, according to local reports A large area outside the Royal Palace has been cordoned off following the incident, which took place at Lejonbacken, an outdoor area immediately north of the palacePosting on X, Swedish politician Arin Karapet said: 'Sounds resembling gunshots were heard outside the palace, followed by a police operation. I myself heard the sounds on location.'A large area outside the Royal Palace has been cordoned off following the incident, which took place at Lejonbacken, an outdoor area immediately north of the palace.It is understood that no one in the Swedish Royal Family was at the palace during the shooting.The Royal Palace in Stockholm is the residence of the King of Sweden, Carl XVI Gustaf, who celebrated his 80th birthday earlier this year.