Students were attending classes at Dreierschützengasse secondary school in Graz when a 21-year-old gunman opened fire, killing nine people and injuring twelve more. The assault, which occurred shortly after 10 a.m. local time, has been deemed the deadliest mass shooting in Austria's history, leading the government to announce three days of mourning.
The shooter, described as a former student who had not graduated, took his own life in the school's bathroom shortly after the attack. Eyewitness accounts reveal moments of confusion and terror, with one student initially mistaking the gunfire for construction noise.
In total, six females and three males lost their lives in the incident, and a seventh victim succumbed to her injuries in the hospital later. The victims, primarily students, have yet to be formally identified, but stories of mourning have emerged from the community. One local woman recounted the devastating news of a young boy she knew being among those killed, expressing the profound sadness and shock felt across Austria.
Authorities are currently investigating the motives behind the shooting, with reports indicating the shooter had left a "farewell letter" and possessed a non-functional pipe bomb. The firearms used in the attack were legally owned, raising questions about Austria's gun laws. With approximately 30 firearms per 100 residents, gun ownership in Austria is relatively high; however, certain firearms, such as machine guns, are restricted.
Instances of school shootings are relatively rare in Austria, though there have been several incidents in the past involving fewer casualties. In addition to the recent tragedy, the country has faced other acts of violence, with Austria's most significant gun-related attack occurring during a terrorist incident in Vienna in November 2020.
As Austria grapples with this unprecedented event, citizens have come together in vigils and waves of support for the victims and their families, reflecting a shared sense of grief and the urgent need to reassess safety measures in educational institutions.
