Helsinki, Finland – A tragic school shooting took place in the suburbs of Helsinki, Finland, where a 12-year-old perpetrator opened fire at a primary school. The incident, which resulted in one fatality and serious injuries to two other students, has sent shockwaves through the community.
Authorities in Finland have identified bullying as the motive behind the deadly school shooting. The young shooter, who had been a victim of bullying according to police investigations, unleashed the attack on his classmates. The suspect, who had recently started attending Viertola School in Vantaa, was swiftly apprehended after fleeing the scene and reportedly threatening other students outside the school.
In the wake of this heartbreaking event, questions have been raised regarding the awareness of school administrators about the bullying issue. The shooter, who accessed a licensed handgun belonging to a family member, carried out the attack while wearing a mask and noise-cancelling headphones.
As the investigation unfolds, Finnish authorities are delving into the charges of murder and attempted murder against the juvenile suspect. Due to his age, the suspect has been placed under the care of social services. Additionally, the owner of the firearm is under scrutiny for a separate firearms offense.
Finland’s Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has expressed profound shock over the incident, emphasizing solidarity with the victims, their families, and the school community. The tragic shooting has reignited debates surrounding the nation’s gun policy, although such incidents are rare in Finland despite high rates of gun ownership.
With over 1.5 million licensed firearms in the country and a population of 5.6 million, Finland’s gun legislation was revised in 2010 to include mandatory testing for firearms license applicants and raising the minimum age requirement. Hunting and target shooting remain popular activities in the country, where strict regulations aim to prevent such tragic events from occurring in the future.