Hundreds of children were panicked at their middle school in Kirkkonummi in southern Finland Friday after learning of an online threat that their school would be the next target for a school shooting, Finnish media reported.

 

On Wednesday, 18-year-old Pekka-Eric Auvinen killed six fellow students, the school's principal and nurse at Jokela School in Tuusula in southern Finland. Auvinen shot himself in the head and died late Wednesday.

 

"Yesterday, there was a threat on the internet. Someone posted a note with the username Sturmgeist, saying that the next target would be Kirkkonummi Middle School," Maarit Rossi, principal of Kirkkoharju Middle School in Kirkkonummi, said.

 

"Sturmgeist89" was Auvinen's YouTube username.

 

The school's principal Maarit Rossi said students were informed in class of the threat against their school. Students were allowed to leave with parental permission and regular classes were suspended.

 

Police said they are investigating who posted the message and are continuing to monitor the school.

 

Meanwhile, there was a false rumour circulating in Tuusula that Hyryla School located in the south of the town, could have been facing a Jokela-like situation. The rumour, which police have confirmed as false, caused panic throughout the community.

 

Auli Ruhtinas, principal of Hyryla School, said school personnel could not find any evidence of threats against it online. Classes have continued as usual.

 

(Xinhua News Agency November 10, 2007)