A 12-year-old student in Finland was suspected of fatally shooting a classmate and wounding two others. The suspect told police that he had been bullied at school. The shooting occurred in Vantaa, just outside Helsinki, where the suspect and victims were classmates. Following the shooting, the Finnish government called for a nationwide day of mourning. The Eastern Uusimaa Police Department, in charge of the investigation, stated that bullying was the motive behind the shooting. The suspect had transferred to the Viertola school at the beginning of the year. The minimum age of criminal liability in Finland is 15, so the suspect cannot be formally arrested.
On the day of mourning, Finnish flags were hoisted at half-staff and members of the community laid flowers and lit candles near the school building where the shooting took place. One of the wounded girls had dual Finland-Kosovo citizenship, while the deceased boy died instantly after being shot. The suspect was apprehended in the Helsinki area less than an hour after the shooting with a revolver-like handgun. The gun was licensed to a relative of the suspect, who admitted to the shooting during an initial police hearing. Finland has had two major deadly school shootings in 2007 and 2008, leading to tighter gun laws, including raising the minimum age for firearms ownership and stricter background checks for gun license applicants.
Finland has a strong hunting and gun-ownership tradition, with more than 1.5 million licensed firearms and 430,000 license holders in a population of 5.6 million. Target practice is a widespread hobby in this sparsely-populated northern European country. The shooting has brought shock and mourning to the nation, with many expressing sadness and disbelief at the tragic event. The suspect’s claim of being bullied at school has shed light on the issue of bullying and its potential consequences. The incident has also sparked discussions about gun control and safety measures in schools to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The suspect, being under the age of criminal liability, will be questioned by police before being handed over to child welfare authorities. The Finnish authorities are conducting a thorough investigation into the shooting to understand the circumstances and prevent such incidents from happening again. The community has come together to mourn the loss of the young victim and support the wounded students and their families. The shooting has raised awareness about the importance of creating a safe and inclusive school environment where students can feel supported and protected. The tragedy has highlighted the need for effective anti-bullying measures and mental health support for young individuals who may be experiencing difficulties.
