Graz Reels from Austria’s Deadliest School Shooting
Austria is mourning after a tragic mass shooting rocked the city of Graz, claiming at least 11 lives, including the shooter. The horrifying attack unfolded on Tuesday at a secondary school, marking the deadliest such incident in the country’s modern history. Authorities confirmed that among the deceased were seven students, two adults, and the suspect — a former student who allegedly had a history of bullying.
The shooting took place in the morning hours at BORG Dreierschutzengasse, a high school located in the southern province of Styria. Local police responded swiftly after receiving calls at around 10 a.m. when gunshots rang out inside the school building. Graz, located about 200 kilometers from Vienna, is home to more than 300,000 residents and is widely known for its academic institutions and cultural heritage.
A Community Shattered by Sudden Violence
Graz’s diverse population includes large communities of Croatians, Romanians, Germans, and Bosnians. The city is often associated with education, history, and peace — not gun violence. The sudden eruption of terror inside a school has deeply unsettled locals, many of whom never imagined such a tragedy would unfold so close to home.
Graz Mayor Elke Kahr and police officials confirmed that at least 30 others were injured in the assault. Authorities have not released the names of the victims but acknowledged the deep sorrow shared by the city and nation.
The Suspect: A Troubled Ex-Student
Austrian media identified the shooter as a 21-year-old former student of the same school. Reports suggest he had been bullied during his time there. Armed with both a pistol and a shotgun, he targeted two classrooms — including one he previously studied in. His body was later discovered in a bathroom. Police believe he acted alone and have ruled out the involvement of other suspects.
Nation Mourns as Leaders React
Calling it a “national tragedy,” Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker offered his condolences through a public message. He emphasized the nation’s collective grief, stating that no words could express the pain Austria feels. In response, the country will observe three days of mourning.
President Alexander Van der Bellen echoed the sentiment, stating that the loss of young lives and a teacher is an unbearable tragedy. He acknowledged the impossible pain faced by parents, siblings, and friends.
Police Response and Rescue Efforts
Police evacuated the school and moved all individuals to a secure meeting point by 11:31 a.m. Local authorities designated ASKO Stadium, home to football club ESK Graz, as a safe zone for parents and students to reunite. A police helicopter supported the ground rescue effort, while ambulances waited nearby for the injured.
Officials later announced that the school premises had been secured, and no further danger was expected. The ongoing investigation continues as the nation processes this devastating event.
A Wave of Condolences Across Europe
International reactions came swiftly. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas shared that every child deserves safety in schools and freedom from fear. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that schools should remain symbols of hope, not become scenes of sorrow. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also joined in mourning, reinforcing that educational spaces must never become battlegrounds.
Austria’s Troubled History with Gun Violence
Though rare, mass shootings in Austria have occurred. In 1981, a synagogue attack killed two people. A year later, two men were convicted for that act. In 2013, a poacher shot three policemen and an ambulance driver near Annaburg. In 2016, a gunman killed two people at a concert in Nenzing before turning the weapon on himself. The most recent prior tragedy happened in 2020, when a shooter killed four in Vienna just before a COVID-19 lockdown.
Gun Ownership Laws Under Scrutiny Again
Gun ownership is relatively common in Austria, with around 30 guns per 100 people, according to Small Arms Survey. However, strict laws govern who may carry firearms. Machine guns and pump-action shotguns are banned, while revolvers and pistols require special authorization. Rifles and shotguns demand either a firearms licence, hunting permit, or club membership.
As journalist Hashem Ahelbarra reported from Graz, many Austrians are struggling to comprehend how such violence found its way into their schools. “This is something we used to watch happening in the United States or France,” one local remarked, “not here.”
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