Police incident reported at Gradia campus in Jyväskylä

A police incident interrupted students’ day at the Gradia campus in Jyväskylä on Thursday afternoon. The emergency services received a report at 12:45 PM stating that a person with a weapon had been spotted on the school premises. Police arrived in large numbers but ultimately found no evidence of an armed individual. There are no suspicions of a crime in connection with the event.

According to Gradia’s principal, Pirjo Kauhanen, the situation was handled according to established protocols. “We received positive feedback from the police regarding the precautions taken and the adherence to instructions,” she stated. Gradia offered crisis support on-site that afternoon, with ongoing assistance available for those wishing to discuss the incident.

Gradia utilizes a security app that communicated updates during the situation. Kauhanen expressed intentions to review the matter to ensure that messages reached all intended recipients.

Students experienced prolonged uncertainty while in secured classrooms. Seventeen-year-old student Lilian Ruusunen was receiving a manicure when the emergency unfolded. She received instructions to remain in a locked space and described armed police entering her classroom. “They rushed in, and I thought about what was happening. We were scared someone might come inside,” she recounted. Students remained locked in for about two hours, huddled away from windows.

Jamine Lahti, also 17, received the alert to stay in class. Initially thinking it was a drill, her class was soon informed about a reported threat. “We were told to block the doors with furniture,” she said. Uncertainty and fear persisted as social media circulated rumors and videos depicting heavily armed police.

Sixteen-year-old Jesse, who was also locked down, noted a surprisingly relaxed atmosphere among students despite the tensions. It was nearly 2:30 PM before some students could leave campus safely.