12-year-old arrested in connection to school shooting in Finland

In a disturbing turn of events, a school shooting rattled the tranquility in the capital of Finland, Helsinki, as three 12-year-old children were wounded on Tuesday.

The shooting unfolded at Viertola school in Vantaa, a city approximately 18 kilometers north of Helsinki, Finland.

Finnish police swiftly responded to the distress call around 9 a.m. local time (2 a.m. ET), with the suspect, also aged 12 and a student of the same school, fleeing the scene.

However, law enforcement managed to apprehend the young suspect in a northern Helsinki suburb, according to the country’s public broadcaster, YLE.

Details regarding the severity of the injuries and the type of firearm utilized remain undisclosed by authorities. Prompt measures were taken to secure the safety of pupils, who were kept within their classrooms, while the public was urged to steer clear of the school premises and remain indoors.

Viertola primary school accommodates approximately 800 students from 1st to 9th grade, along with around 90 staff members, painting a poignant picture of the community affected by this tragedy.

Expressing his dismay, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo conveyed his solidarity with the victims, their families, as well as the students and staff of Viertola school.

“My thoughts are with the victims, their families and the other students and staff of the Viertola school,” Orpo shared on X.

This incident stands in stark contrast to Finland’s reputation for its strong tradition of hunting and high gun ownership rates, with school shootings being exceptionally rare occurrences.

However, it serves as a grim reminder of previous tragedies, notably the 2007 shooting in Tuusula, where an 18-year-old schoolboy claimed eight lives before taking his own, followed by another shooting in 2008 where 10 lives were lost.

In response, the Finnish government implemented stringent guidelines on firearms usage, especially handguns and revolvers, underscoring the nation’s commitment to preventing such atrocities in the future.