Finland school shooting leaves 3 wounded, suspect arrested

A shooting at a school in the city of Vantaa in Finland has left three children wounded, according to police. 

Authorities say they responded to the incident at Viertola school just after 09:00 (06:00 GMT) on Tuesday and have urged locals to remain indoors. 

A suspect has been arrested. 

The school has 900 students and 90 staff. Witnesses told public broadcaster YLE that two ambulances had left the scene.

Police say those caught up in the shooting, including the shooter, were minors and three of them had been injured. The school has students aged seven to 15. 

Children had just returned to school following the long Easter weekend.

Finland school shooting update

The three children injured are confirmed to all be aged 12. The shooter – a 12-year-old boy, had fled the scene after the shooting but was later detained.

Police said he was detained “in a calm manner” on the other side of a local river in a district of northern Helsinki. They added that he had been carrying a firearm which they had taken from him.

Initially, police said everyone involved was 13 but then revised their ages down to 12.

It has not yet given details of the extent of the three children’s injuries.