On Tuesday morning, a school in Graz, Austria was the scene of a devastating shooting that left nine individuals dead, with one victim succumbing to injuries later at a hospital. This horrific event unfolded at Dreierschützengasse secondary school around 10:00 AM local time, marking the deadliest mass shooting in Austria’s recent history. Authorities have declared three days of mourning in response to the tragedy.
Initial reports from students described confusion and disbelief as gunfire echoed through the hallways. One student mistakenly thought the noise was construction work outside, while another recounted their teacher swiftly locking the classroom door upon hearing the shots. Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots, with civilians like local resident Astrid stating she counted approximately 30 to 40 shots. The assailant, a former student who did not graduate, ended his own life in a school bathroom after his attack.
In total, six females and three males were killed, with a seventh female dying from injuries later. While the victims' identities have yet to be publicly disclosed, community members expressed their grief as they gathered in solidarity. Among those impacted, one individual mourned the loss of a 17-year-old boy she had known for years, expressing shock and sadness over the event.
The shooter, a 21-year-old man from Graz, was found to have a firearms license and legally owned the weapons used in the shooting. Police discovered a "farewell letter" and a non-functional pipe bomb during their investigation of the shooter’s residence. The exact motive behind the attack remains unclear at this time.
Austria has relatively stringent gun laws compared to other nations, with an estimated 30 firearms per 100 persons in the civilian population. While machine guns and pump-action rifles are prohibited, individuals can possess revolvers and semi-automatic weapons with proper authorization. Despite the presence of firearms, school shootings are rare in Austria, with only a few previous incidents involving fewer casualties.
Journalists commented on the sense of security typically associated with the country, highlighting the unexpected nature of such violence. Vigil gatherings have commenced in Austria, signifying collective grief and the pressing need for discourse surrounding safety and gun control in the nation following this tragic event.
