One died and two 12-year-olds have been wounded after a fellow student opened fire at a secondary school in southern Finland. The suspect fled, but, was arrested later. After the incident, heavily armed police cordoned off the lower secondary school in the city of Vantaa, just outside the capital, Helsinki.
The shooting took place at around 9am. The wounded were taken to a hospital nearby, according to a Reuters report. The school has around has around 800 pupils and a staff of 90. "The immediate danger is over," the Viertola school's principal Sari Laasila told Reuters.
"The day started in a horrifying way... I can only imagine the pain and worry that many families are experiencing at the moment. The suspected perpetrator has been caught," Interior Minister Mari Rantanen wrote on the social media platform, X.
Taking to X, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo wrote, "My thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones and the other students and staff."
In 2010, Finland changed its gun legislation. The age for applicants seeking to procure a license to own a gun was raised from 18 to 20. Authorities also introduced an aptitude test to be taken by applicants.