A tragic incident unfolded at Viertola primary school in Vantaa, Finland, as one child lost their life and two others sustained serious injuries in a school shooting. The victims, all 12 years old, were targeted by a fellow 12-year-old student who fled the scene but was later apprehended by police in a suburb north of Helsinki.

Authorities responded to the distressing situation shortly after 9 a.m. local time on Tuesday. The firearm utilized in the shooting was reportedly licensed to a close relative of the perpetrator, though the motive behind the attack remains unknown. The young suspect has been charged with murder and attempted murder.

Following the incident, pupils were confined to their classrooms, and officials urged the public to steer clear of the school premises and remain indoors. Viertola primary school, situated approximately 18 kilometers north of Helsinki, accommodates around 800 students from 1st to 9th grade, along with approximately 90 staff members.

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo expressed profound shock over the tragedy, extending condolences to the victims, their families, and the school community. Despite Finland’s notable tradition of hunting and high rates of gun ownership, school shootings are exceedingly rare in the country.

This event recalls past instances of gun violence in Finnish schools, notably the 2007 incident in Tuusula where 18-year-old Pekka-Eric Auvinen claimed eight lives before taking his own. The following year, 22-year-old Matti Juhani Saari killed 10 individuals in another school shooting before ending his own life. In response to these tragedies, the Finnish government implemented stricter regulations on firearm usage, particularly focusing on handguns and revolvers.