Finnish police probe shooting spree that claimed six lives

Jan 1, 2010, 10:36 GMT

Helsinki - Police Friday pieced together more details about a gunman suspected of shooting five people to death in the Finnish city of Espoo before taking his own life.

The probe centred on how the suspected gunman, identified as Ibrahim Shukpolli, had acquired the unlicensed gun used in Thursday's shooting in Espoo, near the capital Helsinki.

The victims in the rampage included his ex-partner, a Finnish woman he broke up with in 2008 after an 18-year relationship, and four of her colleagues who were shot at a shopping centre.

The ex-partner was found dead in her apartment. It remained unknown Friday why Shukpolli targeted the co-workers.

Following the break-up of the relationship, the woman requested a restraining order against Shukpolli who according to court documents had made numerous threats against her.

Shukpolli a few months ago appealed against the restraining order.

The Kosovo-born Shukpolli moved to Finland in 1990 and was convicted in 2003 and 2007 for weapons violations. Other convictions included theft and drug charges.

Shukpolli's body was found in his flat in Espoo after the shootings. It appeared he had shot himself.

Memorial services for the victims were held late Thursday and on Friday, and crisis management teams have offered counselling to survivers.

Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen said the events leading up to the tragic shooting would be investigated, and issued condolences as did President Tarja Halonen.

The bishop of Espoo and two imams issued a joint statement condemning the shootings.

Finland has suffered two major school shootings and a bombing in recent years.

In September 2008 a student opened fire in a vocational school, killing nine classmates and a teacher. The 22-year-old then shot and killed himself.

In late 2007 an 18-year-old student killed six fellow students, a nurse, and his school's headmaster, before shooting himself in the head.

After the 2008 shooting, the Finnish government adopted tougher gun laws.