At a press conference on 9 January 2026, the Murska Sobota Police Directorate presented information about the attack at a secondary school in Murska Sobota.
After the incident, the school immediately followed protocol, informing students, teachers and the police, who responded immediately
Zlatka Lebar, headmistress of the Murska Sobota Secondary School of Health, said: "Unfortunately, an incident occurred at our school today – a first-year student attacked a fourth-year student with a knife. The incident was noticed immediately and we intervened in accordance with protocol. Teachers locked themselves in classrooms with their students and waited safely for further instructions.
The police responded immediately and apprehended the attacker near the school. When the police informed us that it was safe for the students, we sent them home on the first buses. Until their departure, our students were safe on school premises.
We deeply regret today's incident and promise that we will continue to ensure the safety of our students with all available means and with utmost dedication. Professional psychological assistance will be offered to everyone next week."
The police successfully located and apprehended the suspected minor shortly after taking the first emergency measures to protect the children and gathering initial information
Bojan Rous, head of the Criminal Investigation Division of the Murska Sobota Police Directorate, said: "At 9:40 a.m. today, police officers were informed that an unknown person was attacking passers-by with a knife at one of the secondary schools in the Murska Sobota Police Directorate area. Police officers and criminal investigators went to the scene. According to initial reports, a student injured a female student, who may have suffered physical injuries.
The suspect was apprehended by police officers in the vicinity shortly before 10 a.m. and is being held in police custody for up to 48 hours under Article 157/2 of the Criminal Procedure Act. After the swift and professional apprehension of the 15-year-old suspect, resident of the Murska Sobota Administrative Unit, police officers and criminal investigators contacted the school management and, in close cooperation with them, took urgent measures to protect the children and staff at the school, thus ensuring the safety of everyone at the school.
After arresting the perpetrator, police officers and criminal investigators gathered information at the scene and inspected the scene of the incident. Measures were also taken to avert danger at the school in accordance with the threat notification and response protocol for educational institutions. We suggested self-protection measures to the school management in order to reassure the parents of the pupils. The school was searched, but no dangerous substances or objects were found.
Criminal investigators will treat this case as a criminal offence of causing general danger and a criminal offence of slight bodily injury. After gathering all the information and evidence, we will bring the suspected minor before the investigating judge on duty.
Due to the protection of personal data and the possible identification and exposure of the victim of violence, we cannot disclose any further details. In cases involving children, the protection of the best interests of children (minors) and their privacy and integrity must be paramount. The publication of any information about children (minors) involved in official proceedings constitutes a criminal offence of violation of the secrecy of proceedings under Article 287 of the Criminal Code.
However, we make sure that police officers always respond to and treat all cases of violence with precision and care. We investigate all circumstances and inform the competent prosecutor's office and the Social Work Centre of our findings. We work closely with educational institutions, health institutions and social work centres to address and prevent violence."