SBC NEWS
Scalvian Federal Police Trooper Ambushed on Trans-Scalvian Highway by Suspect in Kaarli Primary School Mass Shooting
KARISTE, VA — A violent ambush along the Trans-Scalvian Highway tonight left a Scalvian Federal trooper critically injured, and a suspect in the recent Kaarli Primary School shooting in custody following a tense standoff with law enforcement. The attack marked a shocking turn in the ongoing manhunt for Erik Vainola, the 31-year-old man now accused of carrying out a mass shooting at Kaarli Primary School, which left four people dead and five others injured.
The ambush, which unfolded just east of Kariste, involved a suspect thought to have been on the run for a week. Vainola was wanted for his brutal attack at the primary school on November 12, 2024, where he carried out a drive-by shooting as students were being let out. Authorities had issued a nationwide alert for Vainola, who had vanished seemingly without a trace following the shooting.
The Ambush
The incident occurred at approximately 5:45 PM when Trooper Jacques DeJean, a 16-year veteran of the Scalvian Federal Police, was conducting a routine patrol along the Trans-Scalvian Highway, which stretches from Kariste to Dogaži. DeJean, 41, had been briefed on the manhunt for Vainola and was actively monitoring traffic for any signs of the suspect. A maroon sedan, which matched the description of a vehicle linked to Vainola’s escape, was flagged by the trooper.
When DeJean initiated a high risk stop, the suspect opened fire from inside the vehicle as DeJean gave commands, catching the trooper off guard. At least three rounds struck Trooper DeJean, including one in the shoulder and another in the abdomen. Despite his wounds, DeJean managed to dive behind his patrol car, returning fire with his patrol rifle while simultaneously calling for backup.
“It all happened so fast,” Trooper DeJean said from his hospital bed. “I didn’t have time to think. I just reacted, tried to get behind the car, and radioed for help. I knew if I didn’t survive, he’d just keep going.”
Vainola, realizing the officer was still alive and alerting dispatch, sped off into the nearby suburbs, attempting to escape the scene on foot, his vehicle having multiple tires shot out in the exchange. Trooper DeJean remained behind cover, with his call for backup leading to a rapid response from the Kariste Metropolitan Police Department and the SFP, as well as troopers from the Vaigan National Police.
The Response
Within minutes, KMPD officers, including the elite STAR unit, were on the scene, as well as local SFP and VNP reinforcements. The area was quickly surrounded. Despite the overwhelming presence of law enforcement, Vainola’s previous military background and knowledge of the neighbourhood gave him a distinct advantage.
"We knew we were dealing with someone highly dangerous and trained," said Lieutenant Viktor Mäeots, commander of the KMPD STAR unit. "He wasn’t going to go down easily. Our first priority was making sure there were no civilians in harm’s way while we contained the area."
The search for the suspect was intense, with officers systematically closing in on his last known location. A helicopter identified Vainola in a cul-de-sac, attempting to acquire a new vehicle to disappear once more. Officers quickly established a cordon around the area, as law enforcement urged people to stay inside their homes. Vainola, taking cover behind a parked car, fired sporadically at the advancing officers, wounding two KMPD officers as they pulled up in a patrol car.
The Standoff and Capture
After nearly an hour of tense standoff, law enforcement teams had finally cornered Vainola in the cul-de-sac. He continued to fire at officers, who had by now formed a secure perimeter around the area. The standoff came to a violent conclusion when a police sniper, positioned at a safe distance, neutralized the threat by shooting Vainola in the arm, incapacitating him. He was immediately subdued and taken into custody, bloodied but alive, having also received wounds from his previous confrontation with Trooper DeJean.
"We have accomplished what we set out to do," said Major Iveta Dūka, spokesperson for the Scalvian Federal Police. "And that was to ensure that the public was safe, and that the person responsible for this was arrested without any other persons being killed."
Vainola was found to be armed with an automatic rifle, a handgun, and several magazines of ammunition, which had been stashed in the vehicle he had used to flee. Officers also discovered explosives, which were safely disarmed by bomb disposal experts on site. Vainola, now in police custody, faces multiple charges, including four counts of first degree murder, twelve counts of first degree attempted murder, and two counts of terrorism.
Trooper DeJean’s Condition
Trooper DeJean was airlifted to the University of Kariste Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery to treat his injuries. Doctors have reported that while his condition remains serious, his prognosis is positive. He is expected to make a full recovery, although it will be weeks or even months before he is able to return to duty.
"I’m just grateful to be alive," Trooper DeJean said in a brief statement. "I couldn’t have done it without the backup from my colleagues. They’re the real heroes in this."
DeJean’s courage in the face of a dangerous, armed assailant has drawn praise from both his fellow officers and the general public. His quick actions, despite being wounded, are credited with preventing a potentially much larger tragedy.
The Kaarli Primary School Shooting
Erik Vainola’s violent rampage at Kaarli Primary School had occurred just seven days before the ambush, on November 12. Armed with an automatic rifle, Vainola opened fire from his vehicle as school was being let out, killing four children and injuring five others. Vainola, a former teacher’s aide at the school, had reportedly been experiencing personal and financial stress, leading him to harbor grievances against the school administration and the Government as a whole.
The attack sent shockwaves through the town of Kaarli, with many struggling to make sense of the horror of an act of violence in such a typically safe town. Authorities quickly launched a manhunt for Vainola, but he managed to evade capture for several days, using his local knowledge and training to stay one step ahead of the police.
"We never expected something like this to happen," said Anna Sandre, a teacher at Kaarli Primary School. "We knew Erik had issues, but no one ever imagined he would do something so terrible."
The Road Ahead
With Vainola in custody, police are now piecing together the details of his actions leading up to the shooting and his attempt to evade capture. Investigators are analyzing his personal and professional life, hoping to understand the deeper motivations behind his violent outburst.
"The motive is still unclear, but we are working tirelessly to understand what led to this," said Colonel Jānis Endzelīns, Deputy Director of the Criminal Investigation Bureau of the SFP. "What we do know is that Vainola was a man with deep-seated grievances, but we are committed to ensuring that justice is served for the victims."
Commonwealth Prosecutors have already announced that they will be seeking the death penalty for Vainola.
In the meantime, Kaarli and Scalvia as a whole continue to mourn the tragic events at Kaarli Primary School. The ambush of Trooper DeJean, while resolved, underscores the growing threat of lone-wolf violence in a world increasingly marked by radicalized individuals.
"The road to healing is long," said Mayor Harri Kala of Kaarli. "But today, we can at least take comfort knowing that this man will face justice, and the threat is finally over."
For now, Trooper DeJean’s family, colleagues, and the cities of Kariste and Kaarli await the full recovery of their hero, and reflect on the resilience and courage that define the officers who keep them safe.
