Finland Times

The Chairperson of Imatra city council and two journalists were killed when miscreant fired gunshots on them in front of a restaurant at Imatra in South-East Finland early Sunday.

Police recovered the bodies of Tiina Wilén-Jäppinen, the Chair of the city council and two female journalists of a local newspaper from in front of the  restaurant named Vuoksenvahti immediate after the killings, police said.

The Victims are 53, 52 and 36 years old, said police

The law enforcers arrested a 23-year old man from the spot and cordoned the restaurant after the incident.

Police said that the incident took place after midnight and the killer used a licensed riffle for the murders.  But it was not belonging to the attacker.

The attacker fired gunshots on the victims when they were exiting the restaurant.

No other customer of the restaurant, was, however, injured in the attack.

Prime Minister Juha Sipilä expressed profound shock at the deaths in Imatra.

“We are all deeply shocked by the shooting incident in Imatra last night. Three persons lost their lives abruptly as a result of blind violence. This is completely unacceptable. This is a very serious crime. On my own behalf and on behalf of the Government, I wish to express my deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims of this brutal act of violence,” said the Prime Minister in a statement issued late Sunday night.

He said that Finland is one of the safest countries in the world, but unfortunately acts like these are still possible even here.

“The authorities work to ensure the safety of society and the citizens every day. The police are investigating the matter and I am confident that the motives leading to the act will be clarified thoroughly,” Sipilä added .

Interior Minister Paula Risikko will visit Imatra on Monday, the ministry sources said.