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Fatal shooting at mall in Finland Fatal shooting at mall in Finland
(10 minutes later)
Four people have been killed by a gunman at a shopping centre in the southern Finnish city of Espoo, near the capital Helsinki, police have said.Four people have been killed by a gunman at a shopping centre in the southern Finnish city of Espoo, near the capital Helsinki, police have said.
Dressed in black, he shot dead the three men and a woman with a 9mm pistol at a grocery store in the Sello centre. The three men and a woman were shot dead with a 9mm handgun at a grocery store inside the Sello centre.
Police named the gunman as 43-year-old Ibrahim Shkupolli and said he had a criminal record. Officers have cordoned off the mall and are searching for him. Police named the attacker as Ibrahim Shkupolli, 43, and said he was still at large. Reports say the body of his ex-wife has been found in a nearby flat.
The incident is Finland's third major shooting in the past two years.The incident is Finland's third major shooting in the past two years.
My parents were just going up the escalator from the first floor when police started shouting at them to get out of the building AnttiBBC reader, EspooMy parents were just going up the escalator from the first floor when police started shouting at them to get out of the building AnttiBBC reader, Espoo
Thursday's bloodshed reportedly broke out at about 1008 local time (0808 GMT) inside the Prisma grocery store, on the second floor.Thursday's bloodshed reportedly broke out at about 1008 local time (0808 GMT) inside the Prisma grocery store, on the second floor.
A witness told YLE that the gunman appeared to have opened fire at random, and that at least one employee was left lying on the floor afterwards.A witness told YLE that the gunman appeared to have opened fire at random, and that at least one employee was left lying on the floor afterwards.
The Ilta-Sanomat newspaper said one man was shot twice in the head and a woman in the stomach. It is not known if they were among the dead.The Ilta-Sanomat newspaper said one man was shot twice in the head and a woman in the stomach. It is not known if they were among the dead.
Another witness said chaos had ensued after the shots were heard.Another witness said chaos had ensued after the shots were heard.
"There were loads of people who were crying, and many vendors who were completely panicked," the witness told Finnish radio."There were loads of people who were crying, and many vendors who were completely panicked," the witness told Finnish radio.
Police named the gunman as Ibrahim Shkupolli, who has a criminal recordPolice named the gunman as Ibrahim Shkupolli, who has a criminal record
The gunman was later seen walking towards another shop.The gunman was later seen walking towards another shop.
Local police chief Jyrkky Kallio said officers had quickly discovered the identity of the attacker, but did not yet know his whereabouts. He also said they did not know whether there were any other casualties. Local police chief Jyrkky Kallio said officers had quickly discovered the identity of the attacker, but did not yet know his whereabouts.
The shopping centre has been evacuated and cordoned off and police and trains are not stopping at the local railway station. Several ambulances and dozens of armed police are outside. A fifth victim, identified by the Helsingin Sanomat newspaper as the suspect's ex-wife, was later found dead at a flat in Espoo.
The Sello shopping mall describes itself as one of the region's largest with more than 170 shops. It opened in 2005. The Sello centre remains cordoned off by police, and trains are not stopping at the local railway station. Ambulances and armed police are still outside.
Gun laws tightenedGun laws tightened
There is a long tradition of hunting in Finland, which has vast areas of forest and wilderness, but until recently gun crime has been rare.There is a long tradition of hunting in Finland, which has vast areas of forest and wilderness, but until recently gun crime has been rare.
But two deadly shootings in recent years focused attention on gun laws in a country where young people were permitted to own and use a firearm at 15 years of age if they had parental consent.But two deadly shootings in recent years focused attention on gun laws in a country where young people were permitted to own and use a firearm at 15 years of age if they had parental consent.
In November 2007, an 18-year-old went on a gun rampage at his school in Tuusula, killing seven pupils and a teacher, before turning the gun on himself. He had posted a video warning of the attack on the internet.In November 2007, an 18-year-old went on a gun rampage at his school in Tuusula, killing seven pupils and a teacher, before turning the gun on himself. He had posted a video warning of the attack on the internet.
Then, in September 2008, a 22-year-old trainee chef killed 10 people at a college before killing himself.Then, in September 2008, a 22-year-old trainee chef killed 10 people at a college before killing himself.
He, too, had put a video on the internet showing himself shooting a gun. After doing that he was interviewed by police, but they decided it was not sufficient reason to revoke his gun licence.He, too, had put a video on the internet showing himself shooting a gun. After doing that he was interviewed by police, but they decided it was not sufficient reason to revoke his gun licence.
After the second attack, stricter rules on permits for pistols and revolvers were introduced.After the second attack, stricter rules on permits for pistols and revolvers were introduced.
Handgun permits would no longer be granted to first-time applicants, the interior ministry said.Handgun permits would no longer be granted to first-time applicants, the interior ministry said.
Instead, they must train for at least a year at a gun club before being allowed to apply for a permit.Instead, they must train for at least a year at a gun club before being allowed to apply for a permit.
All applicants must also provide a note from a doctor about their mental health and sit an interview with police.All applicants must also provide a note from a doctor about their mental health and sit an interview with police.
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