Three injured in shooting in East Helsinki suburb

Intoxicated 77-year-old shoots son, woman, and taxi driver with lawful pistol

print this

Three people were injured in a shooting incident in the suburb of Mellunmmäki in the east of Helsinki late Saturday night. Police arrested a 77-year-old man who confessed to the shooting.
      The most serious injuries were sustained by the man's son, who was more than 50 years of age, who took a bullet into his stomach. He has been recovering after surgery.
     
Also injured was a woman more than 50 years of age, who was sitting in a taxi when the incident took place.
      The taxi driver, a man of about 40 years of age, was also injured slightly. The shooter fired at the taxi through the windows with a handgun.
      Juha Rautaheimo, the head of the police investigation, says that it was a lucky coincidence that nothing worse happened.
      The suspect faces charges of attempted manslaughter. He lives near the scene of the shooting. He had a licence for his handgun, and for about five other firearms. He has no criminal record.
      Police did not immediately comment on what the motive might have been. The suspect was intoxicated at the time.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Gun permits easier to get in Finland than driving licences (9.11.2007)

Helsingin Sanomat