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Finnish school gunman kills nine Finnish school gunman kills nine
(20 minutes later)
At least nine people have been killed and two others wounded in a shooting spree at a college in the town of Kauhajoki in western Finland. Nine people have been killed in a shooting spree at a college in the town of Kauhajoki in western Finland.
Police said the gunman, thought to be a student in his early 20s, then shot himself. His condition is unclear. Police said the gunman, a student in his early 20s, then shot himself. Media reports named him as Matti Juhani Saari and said his condition was unclear.
The gunman apparently posted a video of himself on the internet last week firing a gun. The suspect posted a video of himself firing a gun on the internet last week.
As a result of this, police interviewed him on Monday but did not 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.
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.
Ski maskSki mask
Tuesday's 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).
Heavily-armed police rushed to the scene of the attack
An estimated 200 students were thought to be in the college buildings at the time.An estimated 200 students were thought to be in the college buildings at the time.
A BBC correspondent in Finland said a gunman dressed in black was seen at the school, apparently carrying an automatic weapon. Heavily-armed police rushed to the scene of the attack
A man with a ski mask was seen entering the building with a large bag, national broadcaster YLE reported. Shots were fired soon afterwards, and reports emerged that several people were seriously wounded. 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 Finnish TV: "Within a short space of time I heard several dozen rounds of shots, in other words it was an automatic pistol. School caretaker Jukka Forsberg told AFP news agency that two girls had told him a man was shooting.
"I saw some female students who were wailing and moaning and one managed to escape out of the back door." "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."
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 but gave no details of his condition.Mr Vanhanen confirmed the gunman had shot himself but gave no details of his condition.
Media reports said the gunman was being treated for a bullet wound to the head at Tampere University Hospital.Media reports said the gunman was being treated for a bullet wound to the head at Tampere University Hospital.
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.
Interior Minister Anne Holmlund said police questioned the man about the YouTube video, which showed him shooting at a firing range. "We all as a society must be united so that events like these will not happen again," he said.
"Police were aware of this and spoke to him on Monday, September 22," she said. Ms Holmlund said police questioned the man about the YouTube video, which showed him shooting at a firing range.
"However, the police officer on duty decided there was no need to terminate his gun licence." On the video, the gunman says "you die next" before firing three times at the camera.
SCHOOL SHOOTINGS Tuusula, Finland, November 2007 - nine dead, including gunmanVirginia, US, April 2007 - 33 dead, including gunmanErfurt, Germany, April 2002 - 18 dead, including gunmanDenver, US, April 1999 - 15 dead including two gunmenDunblane, Scotland, March 1996 - 16 children, one teacher and gunman dead Timeline of school shootings
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 died in another school attack in Finland.In November 2007, eight people died in another school attack in Finland.
In that incident, 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 that incident, 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, with about 1.6 million firearms in private hands.
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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