Swedes are often criticised for conformity. The lack of individualism, particularly in the school system, has irked students and teachers alike. Which makes the image of a 16-year-old student shot dead in the toilet of one of Stockholm's oldest secondary schools even more unexpected and disturbing than it might have been elsewhere.

Nicola Vasmatzis was shot in the throat at close range just after midday on Thursday, January 18th. Two youths aged 17 and 19, both with previous convictions, have been arrested in connection with the killing. They came to the school, in the wealthy suburb of Bromma, looking for Vasmatzis or his older brother; a row ensued over an unpaid debt.

A small pistol, believed to be the murder weapon, was recovered last week, but police are still trying to piece the case together. Criminologist Jerzy Sarnecki of the University of Stockholm describes the murder as "unfortunate", but warns against panic. He says serious violence within the school system has not increased, staying at much the same level over the past 15 years. However, Peter Agren, head of the Stockholm police youth group, says police had expected such an incident. He blames the increasing influence of American youth culture on Swedish youth.

"Gang culture and the use of weapons, threats and muggings of youth by youth have increased," he says. "The feeling of aimlessness amongst some of our youth, coupled with drug use and an apparent easy access to weapons, must lead us to a debate in our society and our legal system."

Public reaction to the killing has been one of outrage. But calls for tougher measures in sentencing young criminals or securing schools have been rejected, with most people demanding an open debate on the underlying issues. Jan-Olof Cederstrom, press ombudsman for the National Union of Teachers in Sweden, says: "We don't want to have to watch our students with TV cameras and searches. We want an open school where we can talk with our children."