Austria is reeling from one of the deadliest school shootings in its history after a 21-year-old former student opened fire at his old high school in Graz, killing 10 people and injuring at least a dozen more.
The attack occurred on the morning of June 10 at BORG Dreierschützengasse, a secondary school in the southeastern city.
The gunman, armed with a legally owned shotgun and pistol, entered the school and began shooting indiscriminately across multiple floors.
Victims included nine students aged 14 to 17 and a 59-year-old teacher. A 17-year-old French exchange student was among the dead. The attacker later died by suicide in a school restroom.
Authorities searching the suspect’s home discovered a non-functional pipe bomb, a farewell letter addressed to his parents, and plans for a potential bomb attack.
While the letter offered no clear motive, investigators believe the shooter had long-standing mental health issues and may have been inspired by previous school massacres.
The tragedy has prompted a national outpouring of grief. A minute of silence was observed across Austria, and Chancellor Christian Stocker declared three days of national mourning. Vigils were held in Graz, where residents lit candles and laid flowers in memory of the victims.
The incident has reignited debate over Austria’s relatively permissive gun laws. The government is now considering raising the minimum age for gun ownership and introducing psychological evaluations for applicants.
Critics argue that deeper societal issues, including mental health support and online radicalization, must also be addressed.
As the investigation continues, Austria grapples with the shock of a massacre that has shattered its sense of safety and left a lasting scar on a tight-knit community.