A tragic school shooting in Graz, Austria has left ten people dead, including the gunman, and at least eleven others injured, plunging the country into deep mourning and shock. The shooting occurred at BORG Dreierschützengasse, a secondary school, just before 10 a.m. local time. The attacker, a 21-year-old former student of the school, reportedly entered the premises armed with a legally obtained pistol and shotgun and opened fire in two classrooms before turning the weapon on himself.
Authorities have identified the shooter only as “Artur A.” in accordance with Austrian privacy laws. He had dropped out of the school years ago and, according to early police findings, may have harbored resentment over being bullied during his time there. A suicide note and a farewell video were later recovered from his home, providing some insight into his state of mind, though the exact motive remains under investigation. Over 300 police officers, including special forces, were deployed to the scene and managed to secure the school within seventeen minutes of the emergency call.
The swift police response was not enough to prevent the horrific toll. The victims were found both inside classrooms and in the corridors, with some students narrowly escaping the shooter’s rampage. Survivors described terrifying scenes of gunfire and screams, with many hiding in closets and behind desks to avoid detection. One student recounted how her friend believed he was going to die when the shooting began.
The massacre has prompted an outpouring of grief and solidarity across Austria. Chancellor Christian Stocker declared three days of national mourning, with flags ordered to be flown at half-mast and a national minute of silence scheduled to honor the victims. President Alexander Van der Bellen and several European leaders extended their condolences to the victims’ families and the Austrian people.
While Austria has some of the stricter gun laws in Europe, this incident has reignited intense debate about firearm regulation and youth mental health. The fact that the shooter legally acquired his weapons has raised serious questions about the effectiveness of background checks and the need for tighter restrictions, particularly concerning young adults and private firearm sales.
As the country mourns, investigators continue to piece together the timeline and motivations behind the attack. Meanwhile, a traumatized community grapples with the aftermath of one of the deadliest school shootings in Austria’s history.
