Shooting in a Helsinki restaurant

Helsinki Police Department released on Thursday some details about the incident occurred on Wednesday evening at a restaurant located in Snellmaninkatu, where a 50-year-old man got a shot in his leg.

The victim has been taken to hospital. According to police information, his life is not in danger. But the outcome could have been much worse since at the time of the shooting dozens of customers were filling the restaurant tables.

Criminal investigator Kirsi Kanth from Helsinki Police Department, said the preliminary investigation has revealed that the shooting might have been accidental and occurred without the suspect and victim knowing or interacting with each other.

According to her account, a man born in 1994 was carrying inside of the restaurant an unauthorized, loaded, small-caliber gun, which he fired "while fingering it inside of his trousers pocket." The bullet hit the victim close to the thigh.

"The event came as a complete surprise to the victim," police says.

Suspect tried to escape

After the shooting, and taking advantage of the commotion and confusion created by the incident, the suspect secretly left the scene and tried to hide the gun in the vicinity.

Police patrols rushed to the restaurant, which was cordoned off. Inside and around the establishment, police officers arrested four men on suspicion of aggravated assault.

The four detainees were born between 1994 and 2001. The weapon used in the shooting was also found and seized by the police. The origin of the weapon is being clarified.

The matter is investigated under the criminal headings of serious injury, firearm crime and endangerment. The detainees have been released after interrogations.