Finland school shooting: Bullying was the motive for attack that killed boy, 12, police say | World News

The motive for a school shooting in Finland that left a 12-year-old boy dead was bullying, police have said.

The suspected attacker, also aged 12, was detained and taken into custody after the shooting at Viertola school in Vantaa, on the outskirts of Helsinki, on Tuesday.

Two other pupils, two girls aged 12, were also shot and seriously wounded.

“The suspect has said during interrogations that he was the target of bullying, and this information has also been confirmed in the preliminary investigation by the police,” a statement said.

The shooter and the victims were all classmates.

Some of the children reportedly hid during the attack, while others who had been contacted by their parents on mobile phones said they saw what happened.

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said the shooting was deeply shocking.

“My thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones and the other students and staff,” he said on X on Tuesday.

The school, situated on the outskirts of the Finnish capital Helsinki, has around 800 students from first to ninth grade – aged seven to 16.

Candles and flowers were laid in the snow at the school as the Finnish government declared Wednesday a nationwide day of mourning.