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At least 10 people killed in Austria school shooting Austria reels from ‘national tragedy’ after gunman kills nine at former school
(about 3 hours later)
Mayor of Graz says presumed gunman among the dead as local media report as many as 30 people injured Worst mass shooting in country’s recent history leaves 10 dead, including 21-year-old man who police say shot himself after killing nine others
Austria school shooting – latest updates Austria will hold three days of national mourning after a 21-year-old man shot dead eight pupils and an adult at his old high school and injured a dozen more before turning his weapon on himself.
At least 10 people have been killed and several more seriously injured in a shooting at a secondary school in the southern Austrian city of Graz, authorities have said. Visibly moved at a media conference, the chancellor, Christian Stocker, announced a minute’s silence for 10am on Wednesday to start the period of mourning for the victims of Austria’s deadliest postwar mass shooting.
The mayor of Graz, Elke Kahr, said the presumed shooter, several students and another adult, thought to be a teacher, were among the fatalities in the attack, the deadliest in Austria’s postwar history. Local media reported that as many as 30 people had been injured. The attack on Tuesday morning in the southern city of Graz was “a dark day in the history of our country”, an act of “unimaginable violence” and “a national tragedy that has shocked us all”, he said.
The gunman, reportedly a former pupil, opened fire in two classrooms at about 10am local time (0900 BST). Ninety minutes later police said there was “no further danger” after a major security operation involving special forces and police helicopters. The interior minister, Gerhard Karner, said six of the shooter’s victims were female and three male. Twelve people had been injured, he said, some seriously. Karner said the presumed shooter, a former pupil at the school who had left before graduating, had acted alone and was among the dead.
Pupils and staff were evacuated from the BORG Dreierschützengasse high school in Graz and the building was being thoroughly searched, a police spokesperson said. Police confirmed that 10 people had died, including the perpetrator. The mayor of Graz, Elke Kahr, had earlier said that an adult – thought to be a teacher at the school – was among the fatalities.
Citing police sources, local media reported that the gunman was a 22-year-old former student of the school and was armed with two weapons, a pistol and a shotgun, both legally owned, one of which he turned on himself. The gunman opened fire in two classrooms, one of which had once been his own, soon after 10am local time (0900 BST). Police gave the all-clear about 90 minutes later, after a major security operation involving a special forces unit and several helicopters.
Families were gathering at a nearby sports hall where crisis intervention teams were on hand. The area around the school was cordoned off and public transport was diverted, with all streets surrounding the school guarded by armed officers. A police spokesperson told reporters the suspect was a 21-year-old Austrian national who was armed with two weapons that he owned legally, and had no criminal record. His name has not been released.
A spokesperson for the Austrian Red Cross told the public broadcaster ORF that more than 160 responders were at the scene, including emergency doctors and paramedics. Two information points were available for the school’s students and relatives. “Everything else, and many other things have been speculated about at this point in time, is simply speculation,” the interior minister told reporters, adding that no further details would be announced because of the active police investigation.
Austria’s interior minister, Gerhard Karner, and the chancellor, Christian Stocker, were on their way to Graz. Stocker said the shooting was a “national tragedy that has deeply shaken our entire country” and was an “incomprehensible” act of violence. “Out of consideration for family members, only reliable information will be released to the public,” Karner said. He said nothing concrete could yet be said about the possible motive of the gunman.
“There are no words for the pain and grief that all of us in Austria are feeling,” he said. “Today it’s all about compassion. And about being there for one another. In these difficult times, humanity is our strongest force.” Citing police sources, the Kurier and Salzburger Nachrichten newspapers said the gunman was carrying two weapons, a pistol and a shotgun, one of them recently acquired. Police said he had been found dead in a school bathroom.
Local hospitals said they were treating 12 people, including two adults and five teenagers, two of whom were in a “very critical condition” and five with “serious injuries”. All underwent emergency surgery.
Pupils and staff were evacuated from the 400-pupil BORG Dreierschützengasse high school in Graz and the building was thoroughly searched. Students and families were taken care of by crisis intervention teams at a nearby sports hall.
The area around the school was cordoned off and public transport was diverted, with all streets around the school guarded by armed police. A Red Cross spokesperson said 160 responders attended the scene including emergency doctors and paramedics.
Stocker said earlier in a statement there were “no words for the pain and grief all of us in Austria are feeling”. He added: “Today it’s all about compassion. And about being there for one another. In these difficult times, humanity is our strongest force.”
Austria’s president, Alexander Van der Bellen, said: “What happened today … strikes our country at the heart. These were young people who had their whole lives ahead of them. A teacher who accompanied them on their journey.”Austria’s president, Alexander Van der Bellen, said: “What happened today … strikes our country at the heart. These were young people who had their whole lives ahead of them. A teacher who accompanied them on their journey.”
Nothing could ease the pain felt by “the parents, grandparents, siblings and friends of the murdered people at this moment”, he said, adding that the country “stood together to withstand this pain, together”. Nothing could ease the pain felt by “the parents, grandparents, siblings and friends of the murdered people at this moment”, he said, adding that the country “stood together, to withstand this pain, together”.
Austrians own an estimated 30 firearms for every 100 people, making the country one of the most heavily armed civilian populations in Europe.Austrians own an estimated 30 firearms for every 100 people, making the country one of the most heavily armed civilian populations in Europe.
Machine guns and pump-action guns are banned, but revolvers, pistols and semi-automatic weapons are allowed with official authorisation, and rifles and shotguns with a firearms licence, a valid hunting licence or for members of shooting clubs.Machine guns and pump-action guns are banned, but revolvers, pistols and semi-automatic weapons are allowed with official authorisation, and rifles and shotguns with a firearms licence, a valid hunting licence or for members of shooting clubs.
Mass shootings, however, are rare. In 2020, four people were killed and 22 injured in a gun attack by a convicted jihadist in Vienna. In November 1997, a 36-year-old mechanic shot dead six people in the town of Mauterndorf before killing himself.Mass shootings, however, are rare. In 2020, four people were killed and 22 injured in a gun attack by a convicted jihadist in Vienna. In November 1997, a 36-year-old mechanic shot dead six people in the town of Mauterndorf before killing himself.
The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, expressed her condolences on Tuesday, saying schools were “symbols of youth, hope and the future”. “It’s hard to bear when schools become places of death and violence,” she added. Kahr, the Graz mayor, described the shooting as a “terrible tragedy”. The Vienna mayor, Michael Ludwig, urged Austrians to “stand together as a society”, adding: “Hate and violence must never gain the upper hand. Our response to this must be an even stronger commitment to solidarity and respect.”
The EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, said she was “deeply shocked” and that “every child should feel safe at school and be able to learn free from fear and violence”. Kahr, the Graz mayor, described the shooting as a “terrible tragedy”. Several European leaders expressed their condolences on Tuesday. The EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, said she was “deeply shocked”, adding that “every child should feel safe at school and be able to learn free from fear and violence”.
The Vienna mayor, Michael Ludwig, posted on social media: “We must stand together as a society. Hate and violence must never gain the upper hand. Our response to this must be an even stronger commitment to solidarity and respect.” The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said schools should be “symbols of youth, hope and the future”, adding: “It’s hard to bear when schools become places of death and violence.”
Germany’s chancellor, Friedrich Merz, posted: “Horrific news from Graz. Our thoughts are with our Austrian friends and neighbours and we mourn with them.” Hungary’s prime minister, Viktor Orbán, said his thoughts were with the victims’ families.