Finland: One child dead and two injured after 12-year-old opened fire in school

Police said both the suspect and the wounded were 12-years-old, as ITV News Reporter Olivia Guthrie explains

A child has died and two others were injured after a 12-year-old student opened fire at a secondary school in Finland, police have said.

Officers were called to Viertola Lower Secondary school in Vantaa at around 7.08am BST on Tuesday.

The suspect has been arrested and the school cordoned off the school, where close to 800 students attend.

Police said both the suspect and the victims were 12-years-old.

Police officers and vehicles at the scene of Viertola comprehensive school, in Vantaa, Finland. Credit: AP

One of the students had died instantly after being shot, Chief of Police Ilkka Koskimäki from the Eastern Uusimaa Police Department told a news conference.

The other two were seriously wounded, he said.

The weapon used in the shooting was a registered handgun that was licensed to the suspect’s relative.

He admitted to the shooting in an initial police hearing but there is no immediate word of the motive, police said, adding that the case is being investigated as a murder and two attempted murders.

Police officers lead family members of pupils of the Viertola comprehensive school. Credit: AP

The minimum age of criminal liability in Finland is 15 years, which means the suspect cannot be formally arrested.

A suspect younger than 15 can only be heard by the police after which they will be handed over to Finland’s child welfare authorities.

In a post to X, Finish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo described the event as "deeply shocking".

"My thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones and the other students and staff of Viertola school," he wrote.

"We are following the situation closely and are waiting for updated information from the authorities."

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