Finnish department store reopens after shootings

Jan 4, 2010, 13:46 GMT

Helsinki - A department store where four employees were gunned down last week in the Finnish city of Espoo reopened Monday, and a minute of silence was observed for the victims in stores belonging to the same chain across the country.

The Prisma department store in Espoo near Helsinki was closed last Thursday after the shootings.

The department store is part of the co-operative S Group, which at noon Monday urged employees and customers around the country to observe a minute of silence in honour of the slain employees.

The gunman, identified as Kosovo-born Ibrahim Shkupolli, is also suspected of killing his former partner, a Finnish woman who worked at the department store, too.

She was found dead in her apartment, and preliminary autopsy results over the weekend indicated she was killed by a knife.

Jealousy and revenge were possible motives being investigated. Shkupolli broke up with his ex-partner in 2008 after an 18-year relationship. The woman had requested a restraining order against Shkupolli, who, according to court documents, had made numerous threats against her.

Police were also investigating reports of arguments between Shkupolli and the other employees, and have asked people who knew him to come forward and offer information about him.

Shkupolli, 43, was found in his apartment in Espoo after the shootings. It appeared he had shot himself. The gun he is alleged to have used was unlicensed.