Graz School Shooting Devastates Austrian City
A devastating Graz school shooting in Austria has left 10 people dead and at least 12 injured, marking the country’s deadliest school attack in recent memory. The shooting took place on Tuesday at the BORG Dreierschützengasse high school in Graz, with authorities confirming the suspect, a 21-year-old former student, died by suicide at the scene.
Victims Include Nine Students and a Teacher
Among the dead were nine students, aged 15 to 17, and one teacher, according to Austrian police officials. At least 12 other students sustained injuries, several of them classified as serious. One of the severely injured, an adult female, later succumbed to her injuries, bringing the total fatality count to ten.
Shooter Identified as Former Student
Authorities revealed the shooter was a 21-year-old Austrian citizen and former student of the school who never graduated. He acted alone, using both a long gun and a handgun, which he legally owned. The weapons were recovered at the scene.
There were no prior police records or warnings about the suspect, and a farewell letter was found during a search of his residence. However, officials said the motive remains unclear.
Emergency Response Was Swift
More than 300 officers responded to the scene within 17 minutes of the first reports of gunfire, according to Styria State Police. The school was evacuated, and all individuals were brought to a secure location.
One victim was found outside on school grounds, while the others were discovered inside. Emergency support is being provided to students, staff, and parents still at the scene.
National Mourning Declared in Austria
Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker called the Graz school shooting a “national tragedy”, expressing grief over the loss of young lives. A three-day national mourning period has been declared, including a nationwide moment of silence at 10 a.m. on Wednesday.
“Young people suddenly ripped from the lives they had ahead of them. There are no words for the pain and grief that all of us — all of Austria — are feeling right now,” Stocker said in a statement.
About Graz and the Impact
Graz, located in the southern Styria province, is Austria’s second-largest city, home to around 300,000 residents. The shock of the Graz school shooting has rippled across the country, prompting calls for deeper scrutiny of school safety and gun ownership laws.
Further updates are expected from local and federal officials on Wednesday.
