A lot of rumors about the tragedy in Viertola – a surprising exit from the police and the city of Vantaa – 2024-04-10 08:45:25

The authorities have sent Vantaa parents an exceptional message in the Wilma application used by schools.

The message is about the tragic school shooting in Viertola. The Wilma message, among other things, urges a critical attitude to the information spreading about the case and warns against taking “retaliatory measures”.

In the message sent on Tuesday afternoon, it is stated that there is a lot of information about last week’s school shooting, especially on social media.

Crime Commissioner Sami Heikkilä and the director of basic education in Vantaa Ilkka Kalo remind in the message that by spreading baseless claims, pictures and names, a child or young person may commit a crime themselves.

Possible criminal titles are, for example, defamation and spreading information that violates private life. Although children under the age of 15 are not criminally responsible, they are liable for compensation.

– What happened must have shocked everyone. The police remind us that no one should take any kind of revenge or the like and should not target anyone, Heikkilä says in the message.

A week has passed since the school shooting that shocked the whole of Finland. Candles are still brought in front of the school. Down Liesimaa

– We also hope that there will be a discussion in homes about not spreading rumours. If students or guardians have information about the rumor spreader, they should report it to the police for investigation.

In the message, guardians are encouraged to discuss with the children, among other things, what kind of speech is appropriate in relation to the tragedy.

– Spreading rumors is not an appropriate behavior because innocent parties are now under very harmful pressure; each of us must respect the victims and their families, the message says.

– Incorrect information can also cause an extra load for those who follow the conversation on different social media channels.