Vantaa, Finland – A tragic school shooting in Finland has left a 12-year-old child dead and two others seriously injured. The incident occurred at the Viertola school in Vantaa, a suburb of Helsinki. The suspected shooter, also a 12-year-old pupil, has been taken into custody, admitting to the attack in a preliminary interview. However, the motive behind the shooting remains unclear.
The suspect, whose identity has not been disclosed, will be placed in the care of social services due to their age, as Finnish law prohibits the remand of children in custody. The two survivors of the shooting are currently receiving treatment for their serious injuries at the Helsinki regional hospital district.
Authorities have stated that no other suspects are being sought at this time. The permit for the handgun used in the attack reportedly belonged to a relative of the suspect. The tragic event has shaken the community, prompting reactions from Finnish Interior Minister Mari Rantanen and Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, who both expressed shock over the incident.
This heartbreaking event has reignited discussions about Finland’s gun policy, following previous school shootings within the country. In 2007, a student at Jokela High School near Helsinki shot and killed several individuals before turning the gun on himself. Another similar incident occurred in 2008 at a vocational school in Kauhajoki, where multiple people lost their lives in a shooting carried out by a student.
In response to these tragic events, Finland implemented stricter gun legislation in 2010, requiring an aptitude test and raising the minimum age for firearms license applicants. Despite these measures, the nation still has a significant number of licensed firearms and license holders per capita.
As the community in Vantaa grapples with this senseless act of violence, authorities are working to understand the circumstances surrounding the shooting and provide support to those affected. The tragic loss of a young life serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of gun violence, prompting ongoing efforts to prevent such incidents in the future.