A 12-year-old child died this morning following a shooting at a school in Vantaa, about 15 kilometers from the capital Helsinki. Two other 12-year-olds were taken to hospital with serious injuries, the police just announced at a press conference. The arrested suspect is also only 12 years old.
The shooting took place this morning in the municipality of Vantaa at Viertola primary school, in the Bäckby district. The police arrived shortly after 9 a.m. local time (8:06 a.m. Belgian time) at the school, which has approximately eight hundred students and about ninety employees.
According to the Finnish public broadcaster Yle, the student fled on foot after the shooting and the suspect was caught by police in a northern district of Helsinki. The firearm was licensed and belonged to someone close to the student.
President Petteri Orpo says on X that he is “deeply shocked” by the shooting. According to Finnish media, a crisis cell was set up. It is not yet clear what the perpetrator’s motive is. However, an investigation into murder and attempted murder will be opened.
The situation at the school is now under control again and students are safe, director Sari Laasila told Swedish broadcaster SVT. However, the police called on people to stay away and local residents were asked not to open doors to strangers.
Tags: #12yearold child dies shooting Finnish school #12yearold suspect arrested students injured
