A twelve-year-old boy was shot dead and two girls were injured in the school shooting in Vantaa.
Now the police announce that they have a preliminary idea of what the motive for the crime may be.
– We have a good picture of what it could be, but do not want to say anything until it is determined, says Detective Inspector Leif Malmberg.
The school shooting occurred at 09:08 on Tuesday morning. An hour later, the police announced that they had arrested the twelve-year-old suspected shooter. He was arrested peacefully in the Siltamäki district of Helsinki.
– In this sad situation, the act could not be prevented. We will have to investigate what the cause is later, said police chief Seppo Kolehmainen at a press conference on Tuesday.
The police: Have an idea of the motive
In a press release, the Finnish police announced on Wednesday that they are investigating the motive for the shooting. During yesterday, the police did not want to comment on whether the victims were chosen at random or whether the perpetrator had planned to harm them.
The police write that they now have a preliminary idea of the motive behind the crime, but for investigation reasons they do not want to go into any details at this time.
– There are many interviews with witnesses and school students left, we don’t want to put any words in their mouths, says Detective Inspector Leif Malmberg.
Police also confirm that the weapon found on the suspect when he was arrested is a handgun. According to the police, the weapon must have belonged to a relative of the suspect. How the boy got hold of the weapon is currently unknown.
– It is something that is being investigated, but it is a revolver that a close relative is the owner of. We have been able to ensure that it is the weapon that has been used, says Leif Malmberg.
The wounded were shot with the revolver
In questioning, the twelve-year-old also admitted that he was the one who carried out the crime. The police’s work now continues in the form of questioning the witness and carrying out a technical investigation.
– Then we scout social media as well, if there is anything there that can explain or substantiate the suspicion of the motive, says Leif Malmberg.
The police also confirm that the child who died was a boy. The two injured are girls, their condition is described as serious.
– They are very seriously injured, they have been shot and hit by shots from the revolver, says Detective Inspector Leif Malmberg.
One of the girls has dual citizenship in Finland and in Kosovo. The Kosovo embassy writes on social media that they have been in contact with the injured girl’s family and have offered them help.