KUALA LUMPUR – One child was killed and two others were seriously wounded in a school shooting just outside the Finnish capital on Tuesday, local authorities said.
The suspected perpetrator, also a 12-year-old student, has been apprehended.
According to the BBC, the incident occurred within the premises of Viertola school in Vantaa, located north of Helsinki.
All those involved in the incident, including the victims and the suspect, were reportedly 12 years old and in the sixth grade.
Law enforcement responded swiftly to the scene, arriving at the school within nine minutes of the incident being reported at 9.17am local time.
Despite the efforts, one child succumbed to their injuries, while the other two were rushed for medical treatment.
The suspect initially fled the scene but was later arrested without resistance in a separate district of Helsinki.
Authorities confirmed the suspect’s possession of a firearm, which was seized.
The suspect, who confessed to the shooting during initial questioning, will be under the care of social services due to Finnish laws that exempt individuals under the age of 15 from criminal liability.
Expressing condolences and solidarity, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo extended his sympathies to the victims, their families, and the school community.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the nation, prompting an investigation into the tragic event.
Education Minister Anna-Maja Henriksson was visibly emotional as she addressed reporters during a press conference held hours after the tragic incident.
“One 12-year-old child will never again return home from school,” she said, as quoted by Reuters.
Meanwhile, the Helsinki regional hospital district disclosed in a statement that the two surviving victims were undergoing treatment for severe injuries, although specific details were not provided.
Police said the motive behind the attack remained unclear, adding that the handgun used in the incident was registered to a relative of the suspect.
Unverified footage circulating on social media depicted the apprehension of the suspected shooter as two police officers kneeled beside the individual, who was lying face down on a sidewalk.
Viertola School, which caters to approximately 800 students spanning from first to ninth grade, employs a staff of 90.
Finland has grappled with similar incidents in the past, leading to adjustments in gun legislation. Discussions on further policy measures are expected after Tuesday’s incident.
With Finland’s deeply rooted gun culture and popularity of hunting and target shooting, the incident has once again raised questions about firearm regulations in the country. – March 2, 2024