FINNISH cops revealed the child suspected of shooting his classmates was bullied after moving schools sparking the gruesome revenge attack.
The 12-year-old boy admitted to killing one classmate and putting two more in the hospital in the horrific shooting spree on Tuesday.
Cops tracked down the suspected shooter after he fled the scene yesterday
ReutersArmed cops at the scene on Tuesday[/caption]
APCrowds of concerned parents gather outside the school[/caption]
Police said today: “The motive for the act has been identified as bullying.
“The suspect has told the police during interrogations that he has been the victim of bullying and this information has also been confirmed in the police’s preliminary investigation.”
They said the child had started at Viertola school in Vantaa earlier this year and did not settle in well.
Cops also said he admitted to the shooting spree in an initial police interview.
The suspected child-killer shot dead one other 12-year-old boy and left two girls of the same age in serious condition.
After opening fire inside the school, he fled the scene on foot and was caught later by cops.
Dramatic footage shows the moment cops tracked him down and made an arrest yesterday.
Clips show the young boy lying face down on the pavement between two uniformed officers with his weapon, a handgun, on the ground nearby.
His grim revenge spree is being investigated as murder and attempted murder.
The two classmates, who suffered serious injuries, remain in hospital.
Cops said the boy who was killed died instantly after being shot.
The minimum age for criminal liability in Finland is 15 years, meaning the suspected shooter can’t be formally charged.
He can only be questioned by cops before they are forced to hand him over to child welfare authorities.
They said the handgun he used was licensed to a close relative and was a “revolver-like handgun”.
Horrific shooting spree
Armed police rushed to the school 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 read: “Bystanders are asked to stay away from the area and indoors.
“Do not open the door to strangers.”
Local authorities called a crisis team to respond to the shooting.
Gut-wrenching pictures showed crowds of parents gathering outside the school gates to find out if their children were okay.
Today members of the community laid flowers and candles in jars on the snowy ground by the school in tribute.
Finland’s government declared it a national day of mourning, lowering flags across the country to half-mast.
Some of the youngsters hid during the gun ambush, and others told their parents they saw what happened, according to Sky.
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.
Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo wrote on X yesterday: “My thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones and the other students and staff”.
Interior Minister Mari Rantanen also said: “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.”
Finland was hit with two other deadly school shootings in 2007 and 2008.
In 2007 the Jokela shooting saw an 18-year-old student kill eight people before shooting himself.
The following year at the Kauhajoki school a 22-year-old student opened fire on his peers, killing 10 people before also shooting himself.
The country, where it is legal to own a gun, tightened its laws on firearms following the attacks – raising the minimum age for ownership and tightening background checks.
AFPCandles and flowers are placed in the snow in front of the school to pay tribute to the victims[/caption]
AFPThe Finish flag flies at half mast next to the schoolyard today[/caption]
APEmergency vehicles rushed to the school yesterday morning[/caption]
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