Former Student, 18, Attacks School in Espoo
An 18-year-old former student carried out a knife attack against two students in Espoo, Finland, raising significant concerns about school safety and the influences of extremist content.
In a shocking incident in Espoo, Finland, an 18-year-old man attacked two students at Live Ammattiopisto with a kitchen knife on September 29, 2025. The perpetrator, a former student at the institution, was found to have been preparing for the attack by researching violent extremist content, including materials related to Norwegian mass murderer Anders Breivik, the night before the incident. This revelation has drawn attention to the potential risks posed by online radicalization and its influence on young individuals.
The West Uusimaa District Court's interim ruling highlighted the gravity of the situation, categorizing the attack as an escalation in a series of concerning behaviors linked to youth violence in educational institutions. The attacker faces charges for preparation of a serious crime against life or health, as well as two counts of attempted aggravated assault. This incident has raised alarm among parents, educators, and policymakers regarding safety measures in schools and the need for effective prevention strategies against knife violence and extremist ideologies.
The motivations behind the attack appear to stem from the individual's longstanding grievances, as reflected in a brief manifesto he had written, which contained expressions of anger towards various groups, including sexual minorities. This attack not only underscores the urgent need for mental health support and monitoring of at-risk youth but also highlights the broader societal challenges of addressing extremism and violence in schools, prompting calls for legislative and educational reforms to better protect students and staff alike.