Finnish police: Mall gunman (who shot and killed four) believed dead

[marmar]

Finnish police: Mall gunman believed dead
25 minutes ago


HELSINKI — Finnish police say they have found a body believed to be the gunman who killed four people in a shopping center in the city of Espoo.

Police say they found a body in the apartment of the man suspected of opening fire and killing four.

The gunman was identified by police as 43-year-old Ibrahim Shkupolli.

His ex-wife has also been found dead in an apartment in Espoo.

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THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

HELSINKI (AP) — A gunman clad in black went on a shooting rampage Thursday at a suburban shopping mall near the Finnish capital of Helsinki, killing four people, police and witnesses said.

One woman and three men were shot dead at the Sello shopping mall in Espoo, police spokesman Jurki Karlio told The Associated Press. Hundreds of people were at the mall for New Year's Eve and witnesses said they erupted in panic.

The shooter was heavily armed and still on the loose hours after the 10:20 a.m.(0820 GMT) shooting, police told the STT news agency. Trains to the area were halted and police helicopters whirled overhead as police stepped up the manhunt.

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Finland, a nation of 5.3 million, has 1.6 million firearms in private hands, a long tradition of hunting and ranks among the top five nations in the world in civilian gun ownership.

Politicians, social workers and religious leaders have all urged tighter gun laws, more vigilance of Internet sites, and more social bonding in the small Nordic nation, which is known for its high suicide rates, heavy drinking and domestic violence. .........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-general/20091231/EU.Finland.Shooting/