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9 die in Finnish school shooting

KAUHAJOKI (Finland): A masked gunman whose violent YouTube postings prompted police to bring him in for questioning opened fire on Tuesday at his trade school in western Finland, killing nine people before shooting himself in the head.

Witnesses said panic broke out as the gunman entered the school in Kauhajoki, northwest of Helsinki, and began firing in a classroom where students were taking an exam. The shootings began just before 11 a.m. local time as about 150 students were at the Kauhajoki School of Hospitality.

The gunman had been questioned by police on Monday about YouTube postings in which he is seen firing a handgun, said Interior Minister Anne Holmlund. He was released because there were no legal grounds to hold him, she said. Kauhajoki Mayor Antti Rantakokko said nine people were killed, and hospital officials said later the gunman himself had died. Finnish tabloid Ilta-Sanomat said the police identified the gunman as Matti Juhani Saari, a 22-year-old student. — AP

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9 die in Finnish school shooting

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