HELSINKI, FINLAND – A tragic school shooting took place on Tuesday, April 2nd, near the Finnish capital, resulting in one child dead and two others seriously injured. The incident occurred at Viertola school in the Helsinki suburb of Vantaa. The suspect, a 12-year-old schoolmate, was detained by the police outside the school without any resistance.
Authorities confirmed that the victims, as well as the suspected shooter, are all 12-year-old Finnish students. The suspect reportedly confessed to the attack during initial questioning and is currently in custody. Due to the suspect’s age, they will be transferred to the care of social services.
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, but police revealed that the firearm used was licensed to a relative of the suspect. The Viertola school, which has approximately 800 students and 90 staff members, was placed on high alert following the incident.
Government officials, including Interior Minister Mari Rantanen and Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, expressed shock and sympathy towards the victims and their families. Rantanen described the day as starting in a “horrible way,” emphasizing the pain and worry felt by many families in the community.
Following previous school shootings in Finland, the country implemented stricter gun laws in 2010, requiring applicants for a gun license to undergo a proficiency test and raising the age limit to 20. With over 1.5 million licensed firearms in a population of 5.6 million, Finland’s gun policies have faced scrutiny in the wake of such tragic incidents.
The Viertola school shooting serves as a somber reminder of the impact of gun violence on communities and the ongoing need for preventative measures to ensure the safety of students and staff members in educational settings.