A 21-year-old gunman opened fire at a Graz secondary school, killing nine individuals and injuring twelve before taking his own life. The incident marked a harrowing moment in Austria's history, with investigations ongoing into the motives behind the attack, as the nation mourns the loss of young lives taken too soon.
Austria Reels from Deadliest School Shooting in History
Austria Reels from Deadliest School Shooting in History
A tragic shooting at a secondary school in Graz results in nine deaths, prompting national mourning.
On a somber Tuesday morning in Graz, Austria, tragedy struck at the Dreierschützengasse secondary school when a 21-year-old man launched an unprovoked attack, killing nine people, including seven students, and injuring twelve others. The shooter, a former pupil who did not graduate, ended the assault by taking his own life in a school bathroom, making this incident Austria's deadliest mass shooting to date. Following the attack, the nation has entered three days of mourning in response to the shocking violence.
The chaos began at approximately 10:00 AM local time, with initial confusion among students as shots rang out. An eyewitness report revealed that many initially believed the noise was related to construction work nearby. Promptly, teachers secured classrooms, with one student recalling the terrifying moment when they first heard the gunfire. Local residents also reported hearing numerous shots, escalating the panic and urgency surrounding the situation.
Within 17 minutes, police managed to gain control of the situation, deploying over 300 officers, including specialized units trained for crisis intervention. Following the attack, victims were reported to be in stable condition, and investigations commenced to uncover the motivations behind the gunman’s actions.
The victims included six females and three males, with one female succumbing to injuries later in the hospital. As the community grapples with the loss, personal connections to the victims are evident, highlighting the profound impact of this tragedy on families and friends.
The shooter, whose identity has not yet been disclosed, reportedly left behind a "farewell letter" and a non-functional pipe bomb. Authorities confirmed that he legally owned the firearms used in the attack and had a valid gun license. The government is now facing scrutiny regarding Austria's gun laws, which are considered among the more relaxed European regulations. In reports, firearms are prevalent in Austrian society, with a staggering 30 firearms per 100 people, leading to calls for reassessing gun control measures.
Although school shootings are uncommon in Austria, a few isolated incidents have occurred in past decades. The country’s most significant gun violence episode, prior to this tragedy, was a targeted attack in Vienna in 2020 that resulted in four fatalities. As Austria navigates through this wave of grief, public commentary emphasizes the need for enhanced safety in schools and the prevention of such heartbreaking violence in the future.
