Teacher loses life in school shooting
The police have confirmed a school shooting at Viljandi Paalalinna School this afternoon.
A police spokesperson said to Delfi that a teacher of the school was left dead in the incident. The alleged shooter has been apprehended and the rest of the students as well as staff are safe.
The prosecutor’s office has opened a criminal investigation and are treating the case as possible manslaughter.
Kadri Tammai, spokeswoman of the prosecutor’s office said that the shooting took place during class and the shooter was a 15-year-old student of the same school. “56-year-old teacher died in the shooting, her next of kin have been informed,” said Tammai.
Four other students were in the classroom at the time of the incident, in addition to the teacher and the shooter . None of them were injured.
“The suspect did not resist apprehension. The school staff took the firearm from the boy and handed him over to the police. The suspect is being interrogated. According to preliminary information a revolver was used in the incident,” added Tammai
Prime Minister Taavi Rõivas has already expressed his condolences for the next of kin of the teacher as well as to the whole school.
“The fatal shooting that took place today in Viljandi was a shock to all of us. Our thoughts are with people of Viljandi today,” Rõivas said in a statement.
“We do not know the reasons of this incident yet, but violence is never an acceptable solution. These things must not happen. Our duty is to notice the people next to us who might need help or have concerns. Today’s incident is a painful reminder of this,” added Rõivas.
