Austria is enveloped in sorrow following one of its most devastating school shootings on Tuesday, June 10, at the BORG Dreierschützengasse secondary school in Graz.
Tragically, at least 10 individuals, comprising nine students and a teacher, lost their lives, while 28 others sustained injuries, some critically, according to the latest reports. The assailant, a 21-year-old former student, executed the attack using a shotgun and a handgun before ultimately taking his own life in a restroom within the school premises.
The attack, which erupted shortly before 10 a.m., has left the local community in disbelief. Footage that circulated on social media depicted frantic students fleeing the building as emergency services rushed to the scene. One eyewitness described the atmosphere as surreal, initially mistaking it for a movie scene until they witnessed bloodied victims being carried away.
❗️ The perpetrator is said to be a 22-year-old former student who, among other things, shot in his former classroom.
➡️ He reportedly used a pistol and a shotgun, which he is said to have legally owned.
— Austrian Salzburger Nachrichten https://t.co/v8Kr4VC7yd pic.twitter.com/HvGURIgpjs
— limon️ (@limondar0) June 10, 2025
Authorities have confirmed that the shooter, who had reportedly been bullied during his time at school, had recently purchased the firearms used in the attack. A homemade bomb and a farewell note were found at his residence, but the precise motive for the massacre remains elusive. Law enforcement quickly secured the area, deploying elite Cobra police units. Investigators are diligently piecing together the events leading to this tragic day.
SCHOOL SHOOTING
AUSTRIA
GRAZThe Shooter https://t.co/37fKDvpco2 pic.twitter.com/tmOGOpcgTj
— Art of Information (@artofinfo) June 11, 2025
A profound wave of national grief has swept through Austria, prompting a minute’s silence on Wednesday to honor the victims. Public transportation ground to a halt, and church bells tolled as citizens collectively reflected on the tragic loss of life. In Graz, mourners gathered outside the school, leaving flowers and lighting candles for the victims, which included nationals from Franco-Austrian and Polish backgrounds.
Government officials, including Chancellor Christian Stocker, expressed their shock and solidarity with the affected families, declaring three days of national mourning. “This is a national tragedy,” Stocker articulated, as the country grapples with the aftermath of this horror. Governor Mario Kunasek, visibly affected, shared his sorrow: “As a father and a politician, my heart is heavy. The pain this has inflicted is beyond comprehension, and my thoughts are with the families of the victims.”
The shooter’s identity and actions are under intense scrutiny, with reports indicating he had been a target of bullying—a detail that might lend some insight into his motives. Austrian officials have committed to a thorough investigation to uncover the full scope of his intentions.
Students and staff recounted the harrowing scenes, with one teacher noting the overwhelming disbelief. “Initially, I thought it was part of a drill or a scene from a movie, but when I saw a student lying on the floor, the grim reality settled in: this is real,” he reflected.
The aftermath of this tragedy mirrors similar incidents across Europe, where violent acts in schools and public venues have become increasingly common. Yet, the magnitude of this attack, coupled with the shocking lack of warning, has left Austria in a state of turmoil. Known for its low crime rates and perceived safety, the country now faces the unsettling reality of how such violence could transpire in its educational institutions.
As victims continue to recover in intensive care units, the Austrian populace grapples with the harsh truth that their nation is not immune to such atrocities. While the shooter’s motivations remain ambiguous at this point, the tragedy has ignited a vital national discussion surrounding mental health, bullying, and gun accessibility. Austrian leaders, including Chancellor Stocker, have called for more effective preventive measures to avert such incidents in the future.
The broader European community, joined by Pope Leo XIV, has expressed condolences, with leaders throughout Europe sending messages of sympathy to the Austrian people. “This is truly shocking,” lamented one student at a candlelight vigil dedicated to the victims.
As Austria embarks on its healing journey, this tragic event stands as a poignant reminder of the urgent necessity to engage in a broader dialogue about preventing such violence and safeguarding vulnerable students from becoming future perpetrators of horror.
