Austria is in shock after a mass shooting at a high school in Graz claimed at least 10 lives, including that of the gunmana 22-year-old former student.
The attack, the deadliest school shooting in the country’s history, unfolded Tuesday morning at BORG Dreierschutzengasse, a school located near the heart of Austria’s second-largest city.
The shooting began shortly after 10:00 a.m. local time when the attacker entered the school and opened fire in two classrooms. Authorities say the gunman, a former student of the school, killed nine individuals before fatally shooting himself.
Emergency services and special forces responded swiftly, evacuating the building and securing the area by late morning.
By midday, the death toll had been confirmed by local police and city officials. Several others were injured, some critically.
The identities of the victims have not yet been made public, pending notification of their families.
Chancellor Christian Stocker called the incident a national tragedy and canceled all scheduled engagements to travel to Graz.
This senseless act of violence has devastated families, the school community, and the entire nation, he said.
Mayor Elke Kahr described the scene as one of unimaginable horror and pledged support for victims’ families and survivors.
Read alsio:
Across Europe, condolences have poured in. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote, Schools are places of learning, growth, and safety. Today, they have become places of grief. We mourn with Austria.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also expressed solidarity and sympathy, calling the attack a tragedy shared by all of Europe.
Austria has one of the highest civilian gun ownership rates in Europe estimated at 30 firearms per 100 people. While automatic and certain long-barreled weapons are restricted, revolvers, pistols, and semi-automatic guns can be legally owned with a permit.
The attack is expected to reignite debate over the country’s firearm laws, especially around mental health screening and weapon access for young adults.
Though Europe experiences fewer school shootings than other parts of the world, the continent has seen a disturbing rise in such incidents in recent years:
In January 2025, a teenager stabbed a student and a teacher to death in Slovakia.
In late 2024, a school attack in Croatia left one child dead and others wounded In Prague, a 2023 university shooting resulted in 14 deaths and over two dozen injuries A school shooting in Serbia earlier that year left nine dead, including children and a security guard.
These attacks have raised urgent questions about mental health, online radicalization, and school security across the continent.
Police say they are continuing their investigation into the gunman’s background and possible motives.
Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of mental illness or ideological influences, but no formal conclusions have been drawn.
Meanwhile, counseling services have been made available to students, teachers, and families. Schools in Graz will remain closed for at least 48 hours, and nationwide vigils are being planned to honor the victims.
Flags across Austria are flying at half-staff as the country begins a period of mourning and reflection.
