Finland school shooting: 12-year-old suspect held after one child is killed, two are wounded

Cops urged local residents not to open their doors to strangers following the horrific attack

Dramatic footage captured the moment a child was tackled by cops after allegedly going on a gun rampage at their school and killing a classmate.

The suspected school shooter, aged 12, opened fire on their own peers at a primary school in Finland before fleeing the scene on foot.

Footage allegedly showing the moment cops tackled the suspected shooter

Two officers kneel next to a young person lying face down on the ground

Armed cops rushed to the school this morning after shots were fired

A 12-year-old opened fire and injured three other children - killing one

The suspected child-killer shot dead one other 12-year-old classmate and left two more of the same age in serious condition.

Police revealed this afternoon that they fled the horror scene on foot after the attack.

The suspect was later caught at around 10am in the northern Helsinki suburb of Siltamaki - just under an hours walk from the school.

New footage shared by Finnish outlet Iltalehti appears to show the moment two cops snared the alleged shooter.

Filmed from a car speeding past, the video shows two officers kneeling next to a young person lying face down on the ground.

A handgun, the weapon police confirmed was used in this morning’s attack, lies on the ground nearby.

One witness also told MTV Uutiset they saw police officers kneeling next to a child on the ground who had dropped a weapon-like object.

Cops said the gun was licensed to one of the shooter’s close relatives, YLE reports.

Police also revealed in a press conference that the suspect admitted to carrying out this morning’s horrific attack during an early interview.

But the child’s motive has not yet been made clear.

Their grim ambush is being investigated as murder and attempted murder.

And investigators currently have no other suspects.

This morning’s gun rampage

Armed police rushed to the Viertola school in Vantaa, just outside capital Helsinki at 9am local time, 7am UK time, after shots rang out.

The attack forced the town into lockdown as authorities warned residents not to open their doors to strangers and to shelter inside.

A message from police this morning read: "Bystanders are asked to stay away from the area and indoors.

"Do not open the door to strangers."

Tragically, cops later confirmed that "all those involved in the shooting" were children.

Viertola school is home to around 800 students aged seven to 16.

Almost 100 members of staff work there.

Local city official Katri Kalske said a crisis team had been called in response to the shooting.

A large police presence remained around the building hours after the last shots were fired, Eyewitness news reports.

But Sari Laasila, the school’s head, told Reuters at the time: "The immediate danger is over."

Some of the youngsters hid during the gun ambush, and others told their parents they saw what happened, Sky reports.

Anja Hietamies, mum to an 11-year-old girl at the school, said her daughter sent a message after the shooting.

"She said they were in a dark, locked classroom, not allowed to speak on the phone but could send messages," Anja told Reuters.

Anja added that her daughter told her she was frightened.

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo wrote on X: "My thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones and the other students and staff".

Interior Minister Mari Rantanen also said on X: "The day started in a horrifying way...I can only imagine the pain and worry that many families are experiencing at the moment.

"The suspected perpetrator has been caught."

Education Minister Anna-Maja Henriksson cried at today’s press conference as she said: "One 12-year-old child will never again return home from school".

It is legal in Finland for citizens to carry firearms, and there are over 1.5million licensed guns in the country of 5.6million people.

Family members of pupils gather outside the schoolCredit: AP

Crowds of concerned parents gather outside the schoolCredit: EPA

 

Armed police were on the scene after shots rang out this morningCredit: Rex

Emergency vehicles gather outside the primary school

Elizabeth Baker