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On Tuesday, a 12-year-old boy opened fireplace in a faculty within the suburbs of Helsinki, the capital of Finland.
Finnish police mentioned bullying was the motive behind Tuesday's lethal college taking pictures on the outskirts of Helsinki.
A 12-year-old boy who opened fireplace on classmates has mentioned he was a sufferer of bullying, police mentioned Wednesday. He mentioned the investigation thus far helps the declare.
A 12-year-old boy was killed and two women had been critically injured within the firing.
“The motive for this act has been confirmed to be one in every of intimidation,” police mentioned in an announcement.
“The suspect said throughout interrogation that he was the goal of bullying, and this info has been confirmed by the police within the preliminary investigation.”
The suspect had solely attended Viertola Faculty in Vantaa, a suburb of Helsinki, for the reason that starting of the 12 months.
He was arrested after fleeing the scene. Police mentioned he had threatened different college students exterior the college earlier than he was arrested.
Vantaa metropolis officers declined to touch upon whether or not college directors had been conscious of the bullying.
In response to Finnish broadcaster MTV Utset, the attacker, who used a handgun licensed by a detailed relative, was carrying a masks and noise-canceling headphones when finishing up the assault.
Police have opened an investigation for homicide and tried homicide, however because of the suspect's age he has been handed over to social providers.
Police mentioned the gun's proprietor was being investigated for “a separate firearms offense.”
Ampumavalikohatous vantalla jarkitta sivasti. Ajatxeni ovet uhrien, heiden lahistensa og viertolan koulun muiden opiladen og henkilokunnen luona.
Seurame tilnetta twisti and odotam viranomysten pevittivia taitoja.https://t.co/wJjwp8mcal
– Petteri Orpo (@PetteriOrpo) 2 April 2024
Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo described the taking pictures as extraordinarily surprising.
“My ideas are with the victims, their family members, and different college students and employees,” he mentioned on the X.
The incident has centered consideration on the nation's gun coverage.
Like the USA, Finland has excessive charges of gun possession, however gun violence and college shootings are uncommon within the nation.
Gun legal guidelines had been tightened in 2010, introducing a qualification examination for all firearms license candidates. The minimal age for candidates was additionally elevated from 18 to twenty.
There are greater than 1.5 million licensed firearms and roughly 430,000 license holders in Finland, a rustic of 5.6 million individuals the place looking and goal taking pictures is in style.