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Nine killed in Austrian school shooting
A shooting at a high school in Graz, Austria, on Tuesday left nine people dead, along with the suspected shooter, according to local authorities.
Police reported that the attacker appeared to have acted alone. They confirmed via social media platform X that ten people, including the gunman, had died, and several others sustained serious injuries.
Mayor Elke Kahr called the incident a "terrible tragedy," as reported by the Austria Press Agency. Among the deceased were students and at least one adult. Authorities have yet to release details about the assailant.
Special forces responded to the shooting at BORG Dreierschützengasse high school, located roughly one kilometer from Graz’s historic center, after receiving an emergency call at 10 a.m. By 11:30 a.m., police announced that the school had been cleared and all individuals moved to a secure location. They stated that the situation was under control and there was no ongoing threat.
Images from the scene showed a significant police presence, including helicopters and emergency vehicles.
Graz, Austria's second-largest city, has a population of approximately 300,000 and is located in the country’s southeast.
Chancellor Christian Stocker, en route to Graz, described the incident as a “national tragedy” that has deeply affected the entire nation. "There are no words to express the sorrow and grief we are all feeling," he posted on X.
President Alexander Van der Bellen echoed those sentiments, calling the event indescribably horrific. “These were young individuals with their lives ahead of them — and a teacher guiding them,” he said.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed sorrow, stating, “Schools represent youth, hope, and the future. It's heartbreaking when they turn into scenes of violence and death.”
In Austria, certain firearms like manually reloaded rifles and shotguns can be purchased from age 18 without a license, provided the buyer is not under a weapon ban. These weapons must be registered in the national firearms database. However, more restricted firearms — such as semi-automatic weapons — require a gun ownership card and a firearms license, reports UNB.