X: @the_news_21
A tragic incident unfolded in Finland as a 12-year-old boy allegedly shot and killed a classmate while injuring two other girls at a school in Vantaa. Authorities revealed on Wednesday that the young suspect claimed bullying as the motivation behind the violent act.
Flags were lowered to half-mast across the country as Finland observed a day of mourning in the wake of the school shooting. The suspect reportedly opened fire in a classroom, shocking the nation and prompting an urgent investigation.
In a statement, the police disclosed, “The motive for the act has been identified as bullying.” The suspect, during police interrogations, asserted that he had been a victim of bullying, a claim corroborated by preliminary investigations.
Further details emerged, indicating that the suspect had only recently enrolled in the school at the beginning of the year. Reports also suggested that he had made threats against other students on their way to school, adding a troubling dimension to the tragic event.
According to Finnish media outlets, the boy carried out the shooting while wearing a mask and noise-cancelling headphones, amplifying the chilling nature of the incident.
Tragically, one 12-year-old Finnish boy lost his life in the shooting, while the suspect fled the scene before authorities arrived. Although the police initiated an investigation into murder and attempted murder, they handed over the suspect to social services due to his age, as he could not be held in police custody.
Authorities revealed that the gun used in the shooting, resembling a revolver, belonged to a close relative of the young suspect, raising questions about firearm safety and access in households.
As Finland grapples with the aftermath of this senseless act of violence, questions surrounding bullying and mental health support for students have come to the forefront, highlighting the need for comprehensive measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.