An unprecedented school shooting was reported around 8:30 a.m. (06.30 GMT) in Athens, with three people injured, one seriously, while the gunman, a student, died later in surgery from a self-inflicted shot to the head.

   The incident occurred when a student of the Manpower Employment Organisation's (OAED) vocational training programmes in the Renti district, near Piraeus, opened fire and injured a fellow student and two passers-by, then shot himself. The gunman was a Greek national from Sukhumi, Abkhazia.

   A note was found in the gunman's schoolbag, stating his intent to shoot anyone he saw in front of him and then commit suicide.

   Police said the incident took place during an argument between the 19-year-old perpetrator, a student of the OAED School's Electricians Department on Petrou Ralli street, and an 18-year-old fellow student. The 19-year-old pulled out two guns and shot at the 18-year-old, injuring him in the chest and hand.

   He continued to fire at random as he was leaving the OAED school building, injuring two 30-year-old private company employees.

   The perpetrator then crossed the street to a park opposite the school, where he shot himself in the head. Police found his schoolbag containing the two guns, bullets, the note, and also a knife, next to the injured 19-year-old perpetrator.

   The incident marks the first time a spree-type shooting by a student occurs in a Greek school.

   The three injured victims and gunman were rushed to the Nikaia General state Hospital.

   The 18-year-old was seriously wounded by the bullet that was lodged in his chest and was in surgery at this time, while the two employees were not in a life-threatening condition.

   The gunman was in critical condition.

   Attica Security Police were investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, while police were also searching the gunman's home.

   According to testimonies to police, the 19-year-old had psychological problems and suicidal tendencies.

   The note also said that "I am an egotist and can't stand being deprecated".

   Police said that the gunman was not acquainted with the 18-year-old student he shot, while they also identified the two employees also injured in the incident as a Greek and an Albanian national.

   Caption: Police officers in front of the Manpower Employment Organisation's (OAED) vocational training programmes in the Renti district, near Piraeus where a student fired against his fellow students on Friday 10 April 2009. ANA-MPA/PANTELIS SAITAS