A former student opened fire at his high school in the Austrian city of Graz on Tuesday, killing at least 10 people on the campus before killing himself.
The shooter was identified as a 21-year-old man, an alumnus of the school he attacked. Though the motive remains unclear, local media reports claimed that the man, who has not been named, was a victim of school bullying.
The gunman was found dead in a bathroom with a pistol and a shotgun. He had opened fire on two classrooms, one of which was his former class.
Graz Mayor Elke Kahr announced the death of the victims, consisting of at least seven students, two adults, and the shooter himself. As many as 30 have been injured.
Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker called the incident a “national tragedy” in a post on X, further declaring three full days of mourning across the country.
As the Austrian police continue their investigation, they confirmed on X that the school had been completely evacuated, with all attendees taken to a secure meeting point. No further danger was anticipated, and the school premises had been entirely secured.
The incident marks one of the deadliest school shootings in the country and raises questions over gun ownership in Austria.
Austria has one of the most heavily armed populations in Europe, with the Small Arms Survey estimating 30 firearms per 100 people. While machine guns are banned, other small arms like pistols and rifles can be purchased with the appropriate authorisation and licences.
European Union Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas expressed her condolences to the grieving families and condemned the incident. European Commission Chief Ursula von der Leyen, alongside Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, further shared their prayers and emphasised that schools are not to become “places of violence.”
