Shooting in Finland: the child responsible for the shooting said his motive was “molestation”

Finnish police say the motive for the school shooting in Vantaa, north of Helsinki, is “persecution.” “The suspect told police during interrogations that he was a victim of harassment, which was confirmed by the preliminary investigation,” the press release said, adding that the young man was transferred to this school at the beginning of the year. .

On Tuesday, April 2, a 12-year-old opened fire and killed a child at his school, seriously injuring two other children before he was arrested. Police were dispatched to the scene shortly after 9am local time at the school, which has 800 students aged 7 to 15 across two sites.

Day of National Mourning

Finnish police, quoted by Yle media, said the shooter used a “licensed pistol belonging to a close relative.” The child, who due to his age is not criminally responsible, is suspected of murder and attempted murder.

According to a press release from the Ministry of the Interior, flags on all public buildings and institutions were also flown at half-mast on Wednesday as a sign of mourning for the Finns. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said he was “deeply shocked” and then added that his thoughts were with the victims, their parents, other students and teachers.

The town set up a psychological listening team as children returned to school on Wednesday morning.