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Jokela school shooting

Coordinates: 60°32′56″N 24°57′49″E / 60.54889°N 24.96361°E / 60.54889; 24.96361
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Jokela school shooting
File:Jokela school November 8th.jpg
Jokela school one day after the shooting
LocationJokela, Tuusula, Finland
Coordinates60°32′56″N 24°57′49″E / 60.54889°N 24.96361°E / 60.54889; 24.96361
DateNovember 7, 2007 (2007-11-07)
11:44–16:00[1] (UTC+2)
TargetJokela High School
Attack type
School shooting, mass murder, murder-suicide
WeaponsSIG Mosquito .22 calibre
Deaths9 (including the perpetrator)[2][3]
Injured12
PerpetratorPekka-Eric Auvinen

The Jokela school shooting occurred on November 7, 2007 at Jokela High School (Template:Lang-fi),[4] a public secondary school in the town of Jokela, Tuusula municipality, Finland. The gunman was 18-year-old Pekka-Eric Auvinen.

The incident resulted in the deaths of nine people: five male students (ages 16-18) and one female adult student (age 25);[5] the school principal, Helena Kalmi (age 61); the school nurse (age 43); and Auvinen himself, who was also one of the school's students.[2][3] One other person suffered gunshot wounds, and eleven people were injured by shattering glass while escaping from the school building. The day before the incident, Auvinen posted a video on YouTube predicting the massacre at the school.

This was the second school shooting in Finland. The previous incident occurred in 1989 at the Raumanmeri school in Rauma, when a 14-year-old fatally shot two fellow students.[6]

Timeline

File:Jokela window 1.jpeg
Bullet holes in a glass window inside the school, shot by the gunman

At 11:21 AM Pekka-Eric Auvinen shuts his computer down and starts cycling towards the Jokela school center. Aproximately at 11:32 Auvinen is seen passing the locel grocery store. At 11:39 Auvinen arrives to the yard of the schools E-wing and leaves his bicycle on the bikestand. Auvinen goes round the building and enters the E-wing, through the door below the school cafeteria. Auvinen passes the gym and goes straight to the E-wings lobby. There, on 11:42, Auvinen shoots his first victim (male), by the coat rack. Next, he heads to the mens bathroom, which is located right next to his first victim. In the bathroom he removes his leather jacket and loads his gun. On 11:42, three female students enters the lobby and notices first victim on the ground. They call to the emergency center (112 is the Finnish 911) and one of the female students does her best, to help the victim. During the call, Auvinen opens the door slightly and shoots the student, who was trying to help the first victim (this happened at 11:43). At 11:45, another male student is shot in the lobby. The school nurse arrives to the lobby and calls to the emergency center, asking ambulances. During the call, another male student is shot in the lobby (this happened at 11:46). 11:47, the nurse tries to escape, by running behind glass door, but Auvinen follows her and shoots her. Another male student arrives to the scene and yells to Auvinen, when Auvinen shoots him next to the school nurse.

Now the school principal announces in the school radio that "everybody stays in their classrooms, no one is allowed to leave their class". Auvinen shoots four bullets through the downstairs chemistry class, which of one hits to a students leg, inside the classroom. 11:48, the scool principal and counselor go out of the pond side door, to guide the ambulances and police officers to the right place. Counselor goes towards the parking lot and the principal to the opposite direction. Between 11:51 - 11:53, Auvinen shoots a male student, in the top (2nd) floor of the E-wing. Also Auvinen spreads gasoline from the 1,5l bottle to the wall and tries to light it, unsuccesfully. 11:54, Auvinen tries to go to the locked school cafeteria and shoots through the cafeteria glass doors, hitting a few chairs. People in the cafeteria escape to the back room of the cafeteria, through the windows and through the back door. 11:55, when the counselor is crossing over the parking lot, Auvinen comes out from the same door he originally went in and starts chasing the counselor. Luckily the counselor outruns him and keeps running to the field, next of the parking lot. Auvinen goes round the E-wing, towards the pond. 11:55, the first police unit arrives to the scene. 11:57, Auvinen comes face to face with the principal, on the pond side door, where he shoots her seven times, in front of a group of ninth graders and enters the school building, once again. 11:58, Auvinen comes to the first floor teachers lounge and tries to enter the rooms, which have been locked. From there Auvinen enters the historyclass number 114, where he shoots two bullets. One hits the TV and another the window. 12:02, Auvinen goes to the bathroom, next of the historyclass, to load his gun. 12:03, Auvinen tries to shoot, through the teachers lounge window to the inner court, where one ambulance and two police patrol units have arrived. Bullet doesn't go through glass, because it hits to the metallic window frame. 12:04, Auvinen comes to the main enterance, where he shoots two shots towards two police officers who are yelling orders and trying to get near.

Police officers do not answer the fire, because there are innocent people on the way. 12:05, Police have made their strategy and started to evacuate the building. 13:53, police officers find Auvinen from the bathroom, which is next to the lobby which leads to the school cafeteria. Pekka-Eric Auvinen had shot himself to the right temple, but he's still alive. He's taken to the Töölö hospital, in Helsinki. There he passes away, because of his self-inflicted injuries, at 22:15.

File:Jokela escape route.jpeg
The people broke windows to escape through them.

[7][8][9]

Weapon

Auvinen had received his licence to own a gun three weeks before the school shootings. He was a registered member of the firing range at the Helsinki Shooting Club. A spokesman for the club revealed that Auvinen had only ever attended a one-hour training session.[10]

The weapon, which has been described by the media as a "small-calibre handgun", was a SIG Mosquito .22 calibre pistol that had been legally obtained and registered to Auvinen on October 19. He had been given the licence since he was a member of a local shooting club and had no previous criminal record.

In Finland the police usually require a shooting hobby to begin with a .22 calibre weapon. The police cannot mandate that sports shooting should take place in a club, or even in any kind of company; in the case of relatively low risk weapons, the permit decision can be based entirely on information provided by the applicant. Membership in a shooting club is nevertheless considered a risk control. Auvinen himself wanted to buy a more powerful Beretta 9 mm pistol, but the application was rejected by police.[11]

The perpetrator

Wikinews has related news:
File:Jokela-school-shooter.jpg
Pekka-Eric Auvinen from one of the videos he posted to the Internet prior to the shooting, notice the House TV series shirt he was wearing

The perpetrator in the shootings was Pekka-Eric Auvinen, 18 (June 4, 1989 - November 7, 2007), who was born in Tuusula, Finland. He described himself as "a cynical existentialist, antihuman humanist, antisocial socialdarwinist [sic], realistic idealist and godlike atheist" on his YouTube user page Sturmgeist89.[12][13] In the investigation by the police it was confirmed that he had been a victim of school bullying for years.[14]

According to one of his teachers, he was above average academically, and took an interest in history, philosophy and both extreme right and left wing movements.[15]

He had used selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) -antidepressants irregularly since he was 17 years old. These antidepressants are said to cause suicidal tendencies as a side-effect.[16]

The Auvinen family lives in Jokela. The family comprises a father, who is a part-time musician, a mother who was a deputy member of the Tuusula municipal council,[17] and an 11-year-old brother.

Videos and writings

Pekka-Eric Auvinen uploaded a home-made video entitled "Jokela High School Massacre - 11/7/2007" to YouTube announcing the "massacre" hours prior to the shooting. KMFDM's "Stray Bullet" was used as background music.[18] Videos of him shooting his new gun had been uploaded weeks prior to the shooting.[19] Several hours after the event, YouTube suspended some videos belonging to the username Sturmgeist89 due to relations with the shootings. [20] His previous YouTube account name was "naturalselector89", which he used from March until it was suspended in October. Many of his videos were about other shootings and violent incidents, including the Columbine High School massacre, the Waco Siege, the Tokyo sarin gas attack, and bombing during the Iraq invasion.[2]

According to his YouTube profile, his interests were natural selection and hate for humanity. He did not want anything or anyone to be blamed for the shooting, and had planned it "in [his] own head".[21]

He left a media package on Rapidshare, a hosting site, explaining his actions and his motives for the shooting. It includes details of the attack, a manifesto, his "loves & hates", some images of himself and a video of him firing a handgun. "I am prepared to fight and die for my cause," read a posting by Sturmgeist. "I, as a natural selector, will eliminate all who I see unfit, disgraces of human race and failures of natural selection." Sturmgeist means "storm spirit" in German.[2]

Several newspapers have suggested similarities between and inspirations for Auvinen's actions in the Columbine shootings. Auvinen's YouTube videos included footage related to Columbine. The KMFDM track used in his video, "Stray Bullet", was also used on the website of Columbine shooter Eric Harris.[22]

Criminal investigation

The police found 76 shells and hundreds of rounds of ammunition at the scene. Flammable liquid was found poured on the walls and floors of the second floor, suggesting Auvinen had attempted to set the school on fire. They also found Auvinen's suicide note and have begun analysing his Internet postings.[23][24]

A spokesman for the cyber crime department of Helsinki police has stated that "it's highly probable that there was some form of contact between Pekka-Eric Auvinen and" the 14-year-old boy arrested in October on suspicion of planning an attack on his school in a suburb of Philadelphia.[25]

Responses to the incident

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 Finland – Flags were flown at half-staff on Thursday, November 8, 2007 throughout the country by officials and private entities alike and the Finnish government held a moment of silence while in session. The Prime Minister, Matti Vanhanen sent "his government's heartfelt condolences", strongly noting the need of the media, the parents and the schools to discuss the incident in correct light. The Finnish National Board of Education immediately posted directions for the teachers and principals on how to discuss the shootings with pupils, alongside with shorter instructions for parents. President Tarja Halonen sent her condolences as well.[26][27][28] The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland has opened a crisis center, situated in the Church of Jokela, in which professional help is administered to those afflicted by the tragedy.[29]

The Lutheran Archbishop Jukka Paarma of Turku, the Orthodox Archbishop Leo of Karelia, the Catholic Bishop Józef Wróbel of Helsinki and other church authorities have expressed their condolences to the relatives and loved ones of those who died in the massacre.[30][31][32] Throughout the country, church buildings have been open for anyone seeking pastoral care; the incident has also been a major topic in religious services, many of which have been specifically held because of the incident.

On 9 November 2007, the Finnish government decided to drop objections to the European Union directive on firearms. This will likely mandate a common European minimum age limit of 18 years for gun ownership.[33] After the decision was announced, interior minister Anne Holmlund commented through her aide that it wasn't a direct consequence of the shootings, as the directive had been prepared for a long time and "wouldn't have prevented the events anyway."[34]

On 13 November 2007, the Finnish Government announced that it would set up a "Commission of Inquiry to investigate the Jokela school shooting and events that bear relevance to the incident".[35]

According to the Finnish Ministry of Justice, a legislative process aimed at establishing an enabling Act covering the Terms of an official Investigative Commission would be finalized by the end of March 2008. The plan is to have a Final Report, covering the Jokela school shooting incident, finalized in one year. [36]

 Estonia – President Toomas Hendrik Ilves sent a message of condolences on behalf of the Estonian people to President Halonen, saying he had been shocked and saddened by the news.[37]

 Iceland – President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson sent a message of condolences on behalf of the Icelandic people to Finnish President Tarja Halonen. “On the behalf of me and the Icelandic people, I wish to expres our condolences to the Finnish people for the tragic event in Tuusula earlier today.”[38]

 Ireland – President Mary McAleese, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and a number of Irish schoolchildren expressed their condolences to Finnish President Tarja Halonen on November 12 during Halonen's state visit to the country.[39]

 Norway – King Harald V sent a message of condolences to Finnish President Tarja Halonen. “It is with deep sorrow that I have received the news of the tragic of the Jokela secondary school in Tusby yesterday, which resulted in such a meaningless loss of lives. I send you my heartfelt condolences and my sincerest sympathies to all the bereaved and the Finnish people.”[40]

 Sweden – King Carl XVI Gustaf expressed his condolences and described the shooting as a horrific affair. "Unfortunately this sort of thing is spreading around the world. That is odd," the king added at a news conference in Luleå. The Swedish TV-channel SVT 2 would also show the movie Elephant the day after the massacre but they took it off the schedule in respect to Finland. Instead, the movie Swimming Pool was shown. [41]

 European Union – President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso said in a message to the Finnish prime minister Matti Vanhanen that he had been "shocked and profoundly saddened to learn about the horrific campus murders." [42]

Copycat threats

In Finland

On November 9, 2007, the Finnish police rushed to three schools due to threats of attacks posted on the Internet. One of the schools was Hyrylä high school in Tuusula and the others in Kirkkonummi and Maaninka.[43] The 16-year-old boy who posted a video titled "Maaninka massacre" on YouTube was arrested on November 11. The suspect has stated that the video was a joke.[44]

Three weeks after the Jokela shootings, the Finnish police, flooded with hoax threats, made a public plea for threats against schools to cease. The police reminded prospective perpetrators of severe judicial consequences as well as of the feelings of the families touched by the Jokela events.[45]

Elsewhere

In neighbouring Sweden, two boys, aged 16 and 17, were arrested in Stockholm for conspiring to murder their school's principal and janitor.[46] According to the principal, "they had spoken about and glorified Columbine High and what happened in Finland."[47]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Nine Dead in School Shooting". Yle. 2007-11-08. Retrieved 2007-11-09. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ a b c d "Teen gunman dead from critical injuries who opened fire on Finnish classmates". CNN. 2007-11-07. Retrieved 2007-11-07. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ a b "Fatal shooting at Finnish school". BBC News. 2007-11-07. Retrieved 2007-11-07. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ A literal translation of Jokelan koulukeskus is Jokela School Center.
  5. ^ The Finnish Government. Finnish Government Information Event (ASX) (TV). Finland: YLE. Event occurs at 18:00. Retrieved 2007-11-07. {{cite AV media}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonth= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ "School Shootings Rare in Finland". YLE. 2007-11-07. Retrieved 2007-11-07. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ "Finland Declares Day of Mourning After School Murders (Update2)". Bloomberg. Retrieved 2007-11-08. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  8. ^ "Nine dead after Finland school shooting". The Age. Retrieved 2007-11-07. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  9. ^ "Teen dead who opened fire on Finnish classmates, police say". CNN. {{cite web}}: Text "Retrieved 2007-11-07" ignored (help)
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference yle2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ "How your gun permit applications are considered". blog.anta.net. 2007-10-21. ISSN 1797-1993. Retrieved 2007-11-08. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. ^ Herald Sun, Sturmgeist89's YouTube rant, November 08, 2007.
  13. ^ Dagens Nyheter, Nio dog i skolmassakern November 08, 2007.
  14. ^ "Poliisi: Auvinen oli vuosia koulukiusattu". Ilta-Sanomat. Retrieved 2007-11-21.
  15. ^ "Eight killed in school shooting in Jokela, north of Helsinki, gunman in critical condition". Helsingin Sanomat. Retrieved 2007-11-07.
  16. ^ "Asiantuntija: Epäsäännöllinen lääkitys on riski". Ilta-Sanomat. Retrieved 2007-12-13.
  17. ^ "Yksin viihtyvä nuorukainen rakensi oman elämänkatsomuksensa". Helsingin Sanomat. Retrieved 2007-11-07.
  18. ^ "Lukiolaismies jätti verkkoon runsaasti tietoa tulevasta hyökkäyksestä". Retrieved 2007-11-07.
  19. ^ Pre-massacre videos originally posted to the now terminated sturmgeist89 account on Youtube. Retrieved on 2007-11-08.
  20. ^ "YouTube Video". Self-published. Retrieved 2007-11-07.
  21. ^ "Internetissä ennakoitiin ammuskelua kirjoituksin ja videoin". Retrieved 2007-11-07.
  22. ^ Gunman kills eight at Finnish school after YouTube threat | video - World news - News - Belfast Telegraph
  23. ^ "Finland gunman suicide note found". BBC. Retrieved 2007-11-09.
  24. ^ "Finnish Cops Tracing School Shooter's Path". CBS. Retrieved 2007-11-09.
  25. ^ "YouTube killer..." Times Online. Retrieved 2007-11-09.
  26. ^ OPH – Tukea kouluille ja kodeille kriisitilanteessa. Retrieved 8th November 2007
  27. ^ The Government press conference on Jokela school shooting, 7th November 2007. Retrieved 8th November 2007.
  28. ^ "Finnish PM extends condolences to school shooting victims". 2007-11-08.
  29. ^ "Finland school shooter's suicide note examined". USA Today. Retrieved 2007-11-09.
  30. ^ Kirkolliskokous ottaa osaa Jokelan omaisten suruun, 8th November 2007. Retrieved 9th November 2007.
  31. ^ Arkkipiispa Leon osanotto Jokelan uhrien omaisille, 7th November 2007. Retrieved 9th November 2007.
  32. ^ Osanotto Jokelan murhenäytelmän johdosta, 7th November 2007. Retrieved 9th November 2007.
  33. ^ "Finland Drops Objections to EU Firearms Directive". Yle. 2007-11-09. Retrieved 2007-11-09. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  34. ^ "Aselakia tiukennetaan" (in Finnish). Iltalehti. 2007-11-09. Retrieved 2007-12-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  35. ^ "An informal cabinet meeting discussed the Jokela school shooting". Retrieved 2008-01-07. Transclusion error: {{En}} is only for use in File namespace. Use {{langx|en}} or {{in lang|en}} instead.
  36. ^ "EQUITAS Jokela school shooting Inquiry UPDATE (02.08.08)". Retrieved 2008-02-21. Transclusion error: {{En}} is only for use in File namespace. Use {{langx|en}} or {{in lang|en}} instead.
  37. ^ [1], Retrieved 12th November 2007.
  38. ^ Samúðarkveðjur frá forseta Íslands til forseta Finna, Retrieved 8th November 2007. Template:Is icon
  39. ^ "Ahern välitti osanottonsa Haloselle". Yleisradio Oy. 2007-11-12. Archived from the original on 2007-11-14. Retrieved 2008-01-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  40. ^ Kong Harald kondolerer Finlands president, Retrieved 8th November 2007. Template:No icon
  41. ^ Pekka-Eric, 18 sköt ihjäl åtta, Retrieved 8th November 2007. Template:Sv icon
  42. ^ "Condolences pour in after Finnish school massacre". 2007-11-08. Retrieved 2007-11-12.
  43. ^ "Finnish schools plagued by bogus threats". NewsRoom Finland. Retrieved 2007-11-11.
  44. ^ "Finnish police detain boy for YouTube video threat". Reuters. Retrieved 2007-11-11.
  45. ^ "Police: Stop school scares now". blog.anta.net. 2007-11-27. ISSN 1797-1993. Retrieved 2007-11-27. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  46. ^ "Teenagers held in Sweden as fear of copycat killings grows". The Scotsman. Retrieved 2007-11-11.
  47. ^ "Boys 'planned Stockholm school shooting'". The Local. Retrieved 2007-11-11.
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