A former student fatally shot nine people at a high school in Graz, Austria, on Tuesday morning, marking one of the country’s most devastating school attacks in recent history.
The 21-year-old Austrian man opened fire at Bundesoberstufenrealgymnasium Dreierschรผtzengasse school in the city’s northwest area around 10 am local time. Authorities confirmed the gunman acted alone and subsequently took his own life in a school toilet.
According to Austria’s interior ministry, the victims included students aged between 14 and 18 years old. At least 12 additional people sustained injuries, with some in serious condition. The suspect possessed two legally owned weapons during the attack.
Police responded immediately after receiving reports of gunfire. Special forces joined regular officers at the scene, working to secure the area and establish the sequence of events. Sabri Yorgun, a police officer present during the response, confirmed hearing “multiple shots” and stated the area had been secured with no remaining threats.
Authorities have not yet determined the gunman’s motive for the attack. The school has been fully secured following the incident.
Graz Mayor Elke Kahr characterized the shooting as a “terrible tragedy,” according to Austria Press Agency reporting. The city, Austria’s second-largest, with approximately 300,000 residents, rarely experiences such violent incidents.
Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker announced his travel to Graz following news of the shooting. In a statement posted on the social media platform X, Stocker described the event as “a national tragedy that deeply shocks our whole country.”
“There are no words for the pain and grief that all of usโthe whole of Austriaโfeel now,” the Chancellor wrote.
Interior Minister Gerhard Karner also traveled to the city in response to the shooting.
President Alexander Van der Bellen expressed his horror at the events, stating, “This horror cannot be captured in words. These were young people who had their whole lives ahead of them; a teacher who accompanied them on their way.”
International leaders also responded to the tragedy. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X from Brussels, “Schools are symbols for youth, hope, and the future. It is hard to bear when schools become places of death and violence.”
The incident has renewed attention on Austria’s firearms regulations. Under Austrian law, weapons license holders may purchase and own firearms, with Category B licenses permitting the carrying of handguns, repeating shotguns, and semi-automatic firearms not classified as ‘war material’ or prohibited weapons.
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