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Today in History: Gunman kills ten students then himself in Finland

By Drooid · Sep 23, 2026, 10:34 AM UTC · How we work

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Summary

Story summary

On 23 September 2008, 22-year-old student Matti Juhani Saari opened fire at Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences’ Kauhajoki campus, killing ten people with a Walther P22 pistol before shooting himself. He died hours later at Tampere University Hospital; three classmates escaped through a window, and about thirty police officers suffered smoke-inhalation injuries.

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Story summary

On 23 September 2008, 22-year-old student Matti Juhani Saari opened fire at Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences’ Kauhajoki campus, killing ten people with a Walther P22 pistol before shooting himself. He died hours later at Tampere University Hospital; three classmates escaped through a window, and about thirty police officers suffered smoke-inhalation injuries.