Kauhajoki school shooting

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Kauhajoki School Shooting was a tragic event that occurred on September 23, 2008, at the Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences in the town of Kauhajoki, Finland. The shooter, a 22-year-old student named Matti Juhani Saari, opened fire at the school, resulting in the deaths of 10 people before he committed suicide. This incident is one of the deadliest school shootings in Finnish history and prompted a national and international discussion on gun control, school safety, and the influence of media on violence.

Background

Matti Juhani Saari was a student at the Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences, located in the Kauhajoki School of Hospitality. Prior to the shooting, Saari had posted videos on the internet that showed him firing a handgun. These postings prompted a police investigation, but Saari was not detained, and he retained possession of his firearms. The investigation into these videos and the decision not to detain Saari have been subjects of scrutiny in the aftermath of the shooting.

The Shooting

On the morning of September 23, 2008, Saari entered the school armed with a .22 caliber pistol and wearing a ski mask. He began shooting in a classroom where students were taking an exam. After shooting several people in the classroom, Saari moved through the building, firing at others before setting the school on fire using petrol bombs. The attack ended when Saari shot himself in the head; he died a few hours later in the hospital.

Victims

The shooting claimed the lives of 10 people, all of whom were students at the school, and injured several others. The victims were remembered in various memorial services across Finland, and the incident left a lasting impact on the community of Kauhajoki and the country as a whole.

Aftermath

The Kauhajoki School Shooting led to significant changes in Finnish laws and policies regarding gun control and school safety. The Finnish government took steps to tighten gun laws, including stricter background checks and mandatory training for gun owners. Additionally, the incident spurred discussions on the role of social media and the internet in broadcasting violent content and the potential for such content to inspire copycat attacks.

See Also

• Jokela school shooting
• Columbine High School massacre
• Gun control in Finland
• School shooting