A local politician and two journalists have been shot dead by a man with a hunting rifle in the small town of Imatra in Finland.

The three women were shot multiple times in their head and torsos as they left a restaurant on Saturday night.

A 23-year-old man local man was arrested sat in his car at the scene.

Police said he did not resist when confronted by officers who arrived just moments after the shooting.

Southeastern Finland Police Department said the suspect had a criminal record.


"There is no indication of a political motive. It seems the gunman and victims didn't know each other," Detective Inspector Saku Tielinen said.

"All indications are that he chose his victims randomly."

Image: Police arrested a suspect just metres from the bodies. Pic: Yle

The town mayor Pertti Lintunen confirmed that among the victims was social-democrat council leader Tiina Wilen-Jappinen, who was in her 50s.

Saara Raudasoja, a spokeswoman for the South Karelia Social and Health Care District, said: "We decided to open a crisis center after the shooting occurred right in the middle of the town near restaurants and nightclubs.

"There were people there when it happened. In such a small place, it's quite a huge incident and many people were shocked."

Just 28,000 people live in Imatra, which is about 140 miles (230km) from the capital Helsinki.

About 650,00 people in Finland, which is home to 5.4 million, own a gun, but firearm deaths are not common.