A devastating school shooting at BORG Dreierschützengasse high school in Graz, Austria’s second-largest city, claimed the lives of ten people, including the suspected gunman.
Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker described the incident as a “national tragedy,” which has left the nation in mourning and sparked global condolences.
At approximately 10:00 AM local time (09:00 BST), police received reports of gunshots and screams emanating from the secondary school in Graz’s Dreierschützengasse area.
The shooter, identified as a 21-year-old former student, opened fire in two classrooms, targeting students and staff.
According to Interior Minister Gerhard Karner, nine victims—six females and three males—were killed, with twelve others injured, some critically.
The gunman, armed with a legally owned pistol and shotgun, died by suicide in a school bathroom, as confirmed by Styrian State police director Gerald Ortner.
A rapid response from Austrian authorities, including the elite Cobra tactical unit, secured the school within minutes.
The Austrian Red Cross initiated its MANV system, a protocol for mass casualty incidents, deploying 158 paramedics and 31 crisis intervention staff across 65 emergency vehicles.
Injured students and staff were treated at local hospitals, with two care centers established near the school to support those affected. The school was evacuated, and students were reunited with their families at the nearby ASKÖ Stadium.
Graz, a city of approximately 300,000 residents, is reeling from the tragedy. Local journalist Fanny Gasser, speaking to BBC News, noted the tight-knit nature of the community, stating, “Everybody knows somebody at the school.”
Mayor Elke Kahr called the incident a “terrible tragedy,” urging that classes continue in the coming days but with a focus on emotional processing rather than academics.
A mother whose son survived the attack shared her harrowing experience with Sky News, recalling a distressing call from her son who feared for his life during the shooting. “I only found out two hours later that he’s still alive,” she said, highlighting the emotional toll on families.
