A tragic incident unfolded at Viertola school in Vantaa, Finland, where a school shooting resulted in the death of a 12-year-old child and left two others seriously injured. The suspect, also 12 years old and a student at the same school, fled the scene but was later apprehended by the police in a suburb north of Helsinki.
The shooting took place at approximately 9 a.m. local time, prompting a swift response from law enforcement. The handgun used in the incident was reportedly licensed to a close relative of the shooter, although authorities have yet to determine the motive behind the attack. The suspect has since been charged with murder and attempted murder.
Following the shooting, pupils at Viertola school were instructed to remain in their classrooms as a precaution, while the public was advised to avoid the area and stay indoors. The school, which caters to students from 1st to 9th grade and employs around 90 staff members, is located about 18 kilometers north of Helsinki.
Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo expressed deep shock over the tragedy, extending his condolences to the victims, their families, and the school community. Finland, known for its strong hunting tradition and high rates of gun ownership, has historically seen very few incidents of school shootings.
Notably, the country was shaken by similar tragedies in the past, including the 2007 shooting in Tuusula where eight people were killed by an 18-year-old student, and the 2008 incident in which a 22-year-old individual took the lives of 10 individuals at another school before committing suicide.
In response to these events, the Finnish government implemented stricter guidelines on the use of firearms, particularly handguns and revolvers, in an effort to prevent such tragedies from reoccurring.
