Teen attacks, wounds several people with axe in Switzerland

This photo shows a town square in Flums, Switzerland, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, after several were injured in an ax attack. Police believe the suspect attacked several people in the town square, then fled with a stolen car. (Photo via AP)

A 17-year-old boy allegedly attacked and wounded several people with an axe in a small town in northeastern Switzerland, police said. The teenager, a Latvian national who lived locally, was arrested by officers who used firearms and injured him in the process, St. Gallen canton (state) police said.

The incident in the town of Flums started shortly after 8 pm (local time) yesterday. Police believe the suspect attacked several people in a town square, then fled with a stolen car, which later was involved in an accident.

The suspect continued on foot before attacking more people at a gas station shop, where he was arrested, police said.

Police didn’t specify exactly how many people were hurt and said they were working to determine how serious the injuries were.

The suspect appeared to have been a lone assailant and there was no indication of any terrorist background, police said.

There was no other information on a possible motive.