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Finnish college gunman kills 10 Finnish college gunman kills 10
(about 22 hours later)
A gunman has killed 10 people at a college in the town of Kauhajoki in Finland before shooting himself and later dying in hospital.A gunman has killed 10 people at a college in the town of Kauhajoki in Finland before shooting himself and later dying in hospital.
Media reports named the gunman as Matti Juhani Saari, 22, a trainee chef at the vocational college.Media reports named the gunman as Matti Juhani Saari, 22, a trainee chef at the vocational college.
The suspect posted a video of himself on the internet last week firing a gun.The suspect posted a video of himself on the internet last week firing a gun.
As a result of this, police interviewed him on Monday but decided they did not have enough evidence to revoke his licence, the interior minister said.As a result of this, police interviewed him on Monday but decided they did not have enough evidence to revoke his licence, the interior minister said.
Saari's YouTube postings had alerted the authorities to himSaari's YouTube postings had alerted the authorities to him
The minister, Anne Holmlund, said an investigation would now try to determine whether mistakes were made.The minister, Anne Holmlund, said an investigation would now try to determine whether mistakes were made.
Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen said this was a "tragic day" for Finland.Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen said this was a "tragic day" for Finland.
The attack echoed a shooting spree at a Finnish school last year which left nine dead, including the gunman, who had also posted an internet video.The attack echoed a shooting spree at a Finnish school last year which left nine dead, including the gunman, who had also posted an internet video.
Ski maskSki mask
The shootings in Kauhajoki, some 330km (205 miles) north of the capital, Helsinki, began just before 1100 local time (0800 GMT).The shootings in Kauhajoki, some 330km (205 miles) north of the capital, Helsinki, began just before 1100 local time (0800 GMT).
An estimated 150 students were thought to be in the college buildings at the time.An estimated 150 students were thought to be in the college buildings at the time.
SCHOOL SHOOTINGS Tuusula, Finland, November 2007 - nine dead, including gunmanVirginia Tech, US, April 2007 - 33 dead, including gunmanErfurt, Germany, April 2002 - 18 dead, including gunmanColumbine school, Denver, US, April 1999 - 15 dead including two gunmenDunblane, Scotland, March 1996 - 16 children, one teacher and gunman dead Timeline of school shootings Profile: Finnish school gunmanIn pictures: Finnish shootingFocus on gun lawSCHOOL SHOOTINGS Tuusula, Finland, November 2007 - nine dead, including gunmanVirginia Tech, US, April 2007 - 33 dead, including gunmanErfurt, Germany, April 2002 - 18 dead, including gunmanColumbine school, Denver, US, April 1999 - 15 dead including two gunmenDunblane, Scotland, March 1996 - 16 children, one teacher and gunman dead Timeline of school shootings Profile: Finnish school gunmanIn pictures: Finnish shootingFocus on gun law
The gunman, dressed in black and wearing a ski mask, was seen entering the building with a large bag. Shots were fired soon afterwards.The gunman, dressed in black and wearing a ski mask, was seen entering the building with a large bag. Shots were fired soon afterwards.
School caretaker Jukka Forsberg told AFP news agency that two girls had told him a man was shooting.School caretaker Jukka Forsberg told AFP news agency that two girls had told him a man was shooting.
"I saw a guy leaving a big black bag in the corridor and going into classroom number three and closing the door," he said."I saw a guy leaving a big black bag in the corridor and going into classroom number three and closing the door," he said.
"I looked through the window and he immediately shot at me. Then I called the emergency number. Thank God I was not hit, he fired at me but I was running zigzag. I ran for my life.""I looked through the window and he immediately shot at me. Then I called the emergency number. Thank God I was not hit, he fired at me but I was running zigzag. I ran for my life."
Mr Forsberg added: "I heard constant shooting. He changed another case in the gun. He was very well prepared. He walked calmly."Mr Forsberg added: "I heard constant shooting. He changed another case in the gun. He was very well prepared. He walked calmly."
Police ordered an evacuation and called for reinforcements as fires blazed in the building.Police ordered an evacuation and called for reinforcements as fires blazed in the building.
The gunman remained at large within the college grounds for some time.The gunman remained at large within the college grounds for some time.
Mr Vanhanen confirmed the gunman had shot himself.Mr Vanhanen confirmed the gunman had shot himself.
Media reports said the gunman was treated for a bullet wound to the head at Tampere University Hospital but later died.Media reports said the gunman was treated for a bullet wound to the head at Tampere University Hospital but later died.
One victim also died in hospital, raising the initial toll from nine.One victim also died in hospital, raising the initial toll from nine.
College headmaster Tapio Varmola told AFP: "Police have told me they suspect [the gunman] to be Matti Juhani Saari. He is a second year culinary arts student at our school."College headmaster Tapio Varmola told AFP: "Police have told me they suspect [the gunman] to be Matti Juhani Saari. He is a second year culinary arts student at our school."
Mr Vanhanen expressed condolences to the families of the victims and declared Wednesday a day of national mourning.Mr Vanhanen expressed condolences to the families of the victims and declared Wednesday a day of national mourning.
"We all as a society must be united so that events like these will not happen again," he said."We all as a society must be united so that events like these will not happen again," he said.
Ms Holmlund said police questioned the man about the YouTube video, which showed him shooting at a firing range.Ms Holmlund said police questioned the man about the YouTube video, which showed him shooting at a firing range.
On the video, the gunman says "you die next" before firing three times at the camera.On the video, the gunman says "you die next" before firing three times at the camera.
FINLAND'S GUN CULTURE 1.6m firearms in private handsOnly the US and Yemen have higher civilian gun ownershipAll gun owners are required to have a licenceMinimum age for buying a gun is 15About 14% of homicides in Finland are gun-related FINLAND'S GUN CULTURE All gun owners are required to have a licenceMinimum age for buying a gun is 15About 14% of homicides in Finland are gun-related
Ms Holmlund said: "Police were aware of this and spoke to him on Monday, September 22. However, the police officer on duty decided there was no need to terminate his gun licence."Ms Holmlund said: "Police were aware of this and spoke to him on Monday, September 22. However, the police officer on duty decided there was no need to terminate his gun licence."
The gunman was given a "temporary licence" for a .22-calibre firearm this year, Ms Holmlund said.The gunman was given a "temporary licence" for a .22-calibre firearm this year, Ms Holmlund said.
In November 2007, eight people and the gunman died in another school attack in Tuusula, Finland.In November 2007, eight people and the gunman died in another school attack in Tuusula, Finland.
The gunman, Pekka-Eric Auvinen, posted a video on YouTube as a preview of his attack, pledging to "eliminate" those he saw as "unfit".The gunman, Pekka-Eric Auvinen, posted a video on YouTube as a preview of his attack, pledging to "eliminate" those he saw as "unfit".
In the wake of that attack, Finland's government pledged to raise the minimum age for buying guns.In the wake of that attack, Finland's government pledged to raise the minimum age for buying guns.
But the country has a long tradition of hunting and weapons-bearing, with about 1.6 million firearms in private hands. But the country has a long tradition of hunting and weapons-bearing. An international small arms survey in 2007 showed an averaged total of 2.9 million firearms within a population of 5.2 million people.
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Are you in Kauhajoki? Did you witness the incident? Send us your comments using the form below:Are you in Kauhajoki? Did you witness the incident? Send us your comments using the form below:
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