Prosecutors seek over four years in prison for shooting incident in Iisalmi, Finland

In Iisalmi, Finland, prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence of over four years for a man accused of shooting another individual in May. The defendant allegedly shot the victim five times with a 9mm pistol in the parking lot of a gas station. Two of the bullets struck the victim in the legs, causing a laceration and two wounds. An X-ray has indicated that one bullet lodged beneath the skin of the victim’s calf.

According to the charges read in the North Savo District Court on Monday, the shooting placed the victim’s life in danger, and his survival was described as purely coincidental. The prosecutor is treating the case as attempted manslaughter or, alternatively, as aggravated assault, alongside a firearms offense, as the accused did not possess a permit for the weapon.

The accused has submitted a written response to the court, denying the charge of attempted manslaughter and requesting its dismissal. He asserts that he fired at the victim’s legs deliberately, believing he was acting in self-defense in response to an imminent threat of violence against him and his companions.

On the same day, the court also addressed charges against the victim and another man, who are accused of preparing for a serious crime against another person and committing a firearms offense. The prosecutor is seeking prison sentences for both.

One of the accused men allegedly provoked the shooter for a violent confrontation online before traveling to Iisalmi by taxi with a knife. After the shooting, the victim reportedly made online threats about seeking revenge, leading to an encounter three days later where he and another man were found with firearms and other weapons in their possession. The driver also faces charges related to aggravated drunk driving and operating a vehicle without a license.