Austria School Shooting Leaves Ten Dead and Dozens Injured

A mass shooting at a high school in Graz, Austria, has left at least 10 people dead, including eight students and one adult, with the suspected gunman also among the deceased. Austrian state police confirmed the tragic toll following the incident at the BORG Dreierschützengasse school. This marks the deadliest mass shooting in Austria’s postwar history, prompting widespread grief and shock.

The shooting occurred after police received a call at 10 a.m. local time. Special forces were deployed to the scene, and the school was subsequently evacuated. Authorities have confirmed that all students and staff were moved to a safe location – the local ASKÖ Stadium – for reunification with parents and relatives. Twenty-eight individuals are currently receiving hospital treatment for injuries sustained in the attack.

Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker described the shooting as deeply unsettling for the nation and has cancelled all scheduled appointments to travel to Graz. Mayor Elke Kahr echoed the sentiment, calling it a “terrible tragedy.”

Preliminary reports indicate the 22-year-old suspect was a former student of the school. Police believe he acted alone, utilizing both a pistol and a shotgun to open fire in two classrooms.

This incident represents a significant escalation of violence in Austria, which last experienced a mass shooting in November 2020 – an attack claimed by Islamic State that resulted in four deaths and 23 injuries. While the motive for Tuesday’s shooting remains under investigation, the recurrence of such events underscores the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address gun violence and ensure the safety of students and communities. It’s a heartbreaking reminder that even seemingly peaceful nations are not immune to this global crisis, and the long-term psychological impact on the affected community will undoubtedly be profound.