Teen escapes care facility and commits two grenade attacks

A 19-year-old man fled a Swedish youth care home in late May. He then carried out two separate grenade attacks during the same night. The first incident occurred at a villa in Landvetter, where he threw an unsecured hand grenade through a window. That explosive device failed to detonate. He then targeted a car company entrance on Hisingen with another grenade. The second device exploded successfully. The teenager claimed he was forced to commit the acts. He told the court, 'I was in an emergency situation, they forced me.' The district court rejected his explanation. Judges sentenced him to nine years in prison for the attacks. Swedish care facilities, known as HVB-hem, provide housing and treatment for young people with behavioral issues. The court's firm sentence reflects Sweden's ongoing struggle with grenade violence, which has become more frequent in recent years despite strict weapon laws.