Finland shooting: Child dead, two seriously injured after pupil, 12, opens fire
Police swarmed a school in Vantaa, north of Helsinki, after Tuesday morning's devastating attack which has left one child dead and two more seriously injured.
A child has been killed and two more seriously injured after a pupil unleashed bullets at a school in Finland.
Police made a heartbreaking announcement after the shooting erupted early on Tuesday morning in Vantaa, a city 10 miles north of Helsinki, confirming the youngster's death.
Cops swarmed Viertola Elementary School to reports that gunshots had been fired at around 9am local time (7am GMT).
Warning locals to avoid the area, police managed to arrest a child who had gone on the run after the arrival of officers at the school. The arrest was made in a "calm manner", cops added, and the firearm was seized from the child.
As a result of the police operation, the school was placed on lockdown.
Alongside the tragic loss of the 12-year-old pupil, it was confirmed two other 12-year-olds were also seriously injured, police said.
Police said to have launched an investigation into murder and attempted murder.
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Gun used during shooting 'licensed to a relative' of the attacker
Police believe the suspect used a gun licensed to a relative to carry out the deadly shooting.
Gun ownership is widespread in the country. There are reportedly some 430,000 licensed gun owners across Finland, which has a population of 5.5 million.
Children over 15 can have licenses to use other people's firearms.
What happened at the school?
Police shared more details about how the tragedy unfolded this morning.
The force said to have been alerted of the shooting around 9am and to have arrived at the school within nine minutes, at 9.17am local time.
Once at the scene, they tended to the three victims.
One of the children sadly died at the scene, the police said. The other children were taken to hospital after being seriously wounded.
The suspect managed to run off as soon as the police arrived.
However, he was found in the northern Siltamaki district of the capital Helsinki and detained "in a calm manner" at 10am, the force explained. At the time of the arrest, the child was holding a firearm, which was taken away by the police.
In an initial interview, the child admitted carrying out the shooting, the force added.
They have now opened an investigation into murder and attempted murder.
Probe into murder and attempted murder launched
Police have announced to have launched an investigation into murder and attempted murder.
Heartbreak as authorities confirm at least one casualty dead
In a sad announcement, the authorities confirmed one of the victims, aged 12, had died following the horrific attack.
Two more children, also aged 12, were left seriously injured, police said.
A police statement read: "One person has died in the shooting incident and two people are currently hospitalised. The victims' relatives have been informed about the incident."
'This is deeply shocking' - Finnish PM
Finland's Prime Minister Petteri Orpo spoke about the school shooting in an emotional message on X, formerly Twitter.
The Finnish leader wrote: "The shooting scenes in Vantaa are deeply shocking. My thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones and the other students and staff of Viertola school.
"We are following the situation closely and are waiting for updated information from the authorities."
More pictures from the scene
More pictures have emerged from the scene of the shooting.
Previous school shootings in Finland
This isn't the first time Finland has endured a school shooting, with two deadly incidents happening within months of each other back between 2007 and 2008.
In 2007, an 18-year-old student shot dead seven students and his head teacher in Tuusula, a town located in the southern interior of the country.
The following year, another student killed nine pupils and a teacher in the town of Kauhajoki.
These tragedies prompted the country to tighten regulations on guns.
Update on age of the attacker and victims
Previous reports had claimed both the shooter and the three children wounded were 13.
An updated report by the Finnish police said the four children are aged 12.
Immediate danger 'is over'
The school's principal, Sari Laasila, said the "immediate danger is over" following the alleged attacker's arrest.
The principal declined to comment further on the incident.
Where is Vantaa?
Vantaa is Finland's fourth-biggest city, counting some 240,000 residents.
It is located around 10 miles north of Helsinki, the capital of Finland.
Suspect 'caught a 50-minute walk away from school'`
Police located the suspect a 50-minute walk away from the school, local broadcaster MTV Uutiset reported.
The minor was described to local media by one witness as "small" and "hooded". They claimed to have seen the suspect drop something to the ground before kneeling down as police arrived.
All the wounded were minors
Police have shed light on the casualties of the school shooting.
Following reports of several injuries, the Finnish force said three children aged 13 were wounded.
A police spokesperson said those wounded were taken to hospital.
First pictures from the scene
Armed police have been pictured surrounding the Viertola school building.
Suspect is a minor
A suspect has been arrested.
Sharing some details on the suspect, police said the person arrested is a minor, aged 13.
Minors have been wounded
All the people caught up in the incident were minors, police said as quoted by the BBC.
The report added that three of the minors had been left wounded.
Two ambulances were spotted leaving the scene by eye-witnesses who spoke to public broadcaster YLE.
Who attends this school?
Viertola school counts among its students children aged between seven and 15, attending either primary or middle-school classes.
The school has around 800 students and 90 staff members, Finnish reports said.
Police releases a statement
Finnish police released a statement, reading: "Police are at the scene investigating the incident.
"Bystanders are asked to stay away from the area and indoors. The door should not be opened to strangers."
Residents asked to stay away from the area
As emergency services swarm the scene, locals have been asked to stay away from the area surrounding the school.
Good morning
Good morning from London. I’m Alice Scarsi, I’ll be bringing you all the latest developments on the incident in Finland.