Are teenage knife attacks in Poland a "challenge"? Police announcement

At a special press conference, which was the result of the tragic events of recent hours, the police announced that the services were checking whether knife attacks in schools were related to the challenge. This dangerous phenomenon involves undertaking, and sometimes reporting on, a dangerous task on social media. Children and teenagers take on these "challenges" often to gain popularity or reactions from other users.

We have such information, which is why police officers from the Central Bureau for Combating Cybercrime have already arrived on site. Because it all takes place online, police officers fighting cybercrime are essential and crucial. They are already on site and working, said the deputy inspector. Katarzyna Kucharska from the Masovian police.

Jakub Z., a 19-year-old student of the Vocational School Complex No. 4 in Ostrołęka, attacked 9 people with a knife yesterday: 5 students, 2 teachers and 2 bystanders. He had a homemade explosive device in his backpack. This was confirmed in an interview with RMF FM by the spokeswoman of the District Prosecutor's Office in Ostrołęka, Prosecutor Elżbieta Łukasiewicz. During the attack, the 19-year-old knifeman left his backpack in the classroom. When smoke started coming out of it, the students threw it outside through the window. The attacker was detained by the police about half an hour after the attack, about 400-500 meters from the school. He hurt himself. RMF FM reporter Jakub Rybski is in Ostrołęka. The building where the attack took place is cordoned off and a police car is parked in front of the school. There are no lessons today. However, children can come to the facility and get psychological help.

Today, around 9:15 at a school in the village of Leszczydół-Nowiny, a 15-year-old attacked three school employees: the principal, a teacher and a janitor. The 37-year-old woman did not survive. She orphaned two children. The attacker is a former student of the school. As Prime Minister Donald Tusk said at an urgent meeting with ministers, the boy was wearing a helmet with a camera. He wanted to film the entire event.

Yesterday, an attack at a school in Sierpc, Masovia was foiled. This was announced by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Marcin Kierwiński. A 17-year-old boy said on school grounds that he was planning to hurt someone. The teachers reported it to the police. According to the minister, two knives were found in the 17-year-old's possession.

A few days ago, a case of planning an attack by a 13-year-old was also reported. A nearly 30-centimeter long knife was found in the boy's school backpack - according to the police, it was a bayonet. The police also found a cleaver in his room. His plans were thwarted by policemen from the District Police Headquarters in Wąbrzeźno. It is known that the 13-year-old was active on internet forums with fascist content. He also allegedly suggested online that he was going to attack the school.