A suspect was shot dead on Tuesday afternoon after exchanging gunfire with police in the municipality of Juupajoki. That followed an earlier incident in which police suspect the man seriously injured another person in a home nearby.
The Central Finland Police Department said earlier that a major operation was underway related to a dangerous situation in a home on Ratakatu in Juupajoki.
The suspect fled police in a car, which police stopped using a spiked mat. Officers confronted the fugitive in the village of Niemelänperä on Route 66.
After being stopped, the suspect fired at police, who said they "also had to use a weapon in the situation".
Authorities did not immediately release any more detailed information about the gunfire, but later said that the man had died.
Detective Superintendent Jari Räty of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), who is heading the probe, confirmed the death to Yle.
Räty declined to comment on details of the exchange of fire between the suspect and police. Incidents involving gunfire by police are relatively rare in Finland.
Route 66 closed
Juupajoki is a municipality of just under 2,000 inhabitants in Pirkanmaa, about 60km northwest of Tampere.
According to the police, the situation no longer posed a danger to the public.
As part of the operation, Route 66 was closed between Ruovesi and Juupajoki, and remained closed later in the afternoon.
The Central Finland Police Department said that responsibility for the case would be handed over to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), which is planning to make an announcement about it later.
16.01: Updated with suspect's death and shooting at home, other details.
