Austria School Shooting Leaves 10 Dead, Including Attacker
Graz Tragedy Shocks the Nation; Students Among Victims
Police Confirm Lone Shooter, Say Situation Now Secure
Austrian Leaders Express Grief, Demand Reflection on Gun Access
Europe Condemns Violence as Schools Become Scenes of Bloodshed
KNT Web Desk: In a deeply tragic incident, a shooting at a high school in the Austrian city of Graz claimed the lives of ten people on Tuesday, including the suspected gunman. Authorities confirmed that several others sustained serious injuries during the attack, which has sent shockwaves across Austria and Europe.
The violence unfolded at the BORG Dreierschützengasse high school, located just a kilometre from Graz’s historic centre. Emergency services were alerted at around 10 a.m. local time, prompting a swift response from police, special forces, and emergency medical teams. Photos from the scene showed a heavy police presence, helicopters overhead, and multiple ambulances stationed around the premises.
By 11:30 a.m., police declared the situation “secured,” confirming the evacuation of the school and stating there was no ongoing threat. Initial investigations suggest the attacker acted alone, though officials have not yet released further details about the identity or motive of the shooter.
The Austrian Press Agency reported that both students and at least one adult were among the deceased. Authorities are still working to identify the victims and notify their families.
Mayor Elke Kahr called the attack a “terrible tragedy,” while Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker described it as a “national catastrophe that deeply shocks our whole country.” “There are no words for the pain and grief we all feel,” Stocker said while en route to Graz.
President Alexander Van der Bellen expressed his sorrow in a somber message, stating, “These were young people who had their whole lives ahead of them. A teacher who guided them. This horror cannot be captured in words.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also condemned the violence, calling it unbearable that schools — “symbols of youth, hope and the future” — could become scenes of death.
Graz, Austria’s second-largest city, has a population of around 300,000 and is known for its vibrant student community. Incidents of mass shootings are rare in Austria, though the country does allow relatively easy access to certain types of firearms. Manual-loading rifles and shotguns can be purchased from age 18 without a permit, provided buyers aren’t under a weapons ban. More advanced weapons, such as semi-automatics or repeating shotguns, require official permits.
The incident has renewed scrutiny of Austria’s gun laws, with many calling for a reevaluation of how easily young adults can access firearms. For now, the nation mourns the loss of young lives and the shattering of safety in a place meant for learning and growth.
