Austria is reeling from its deadliest mass shooting in recent history after a gunman opened fire at Dreierschützengasse secondary school in Graz, killing 10 people and injuring 12 others. The 21-year-old suspect, a former student at the school, later took his own life in a bathroom on the premises.
The shooting unfolded on Tuesday morning, sending shockwaves across the country. Authorities confirmed that the suspect, who legally owned the firearms used in the attack, acted alone and was not previously known to the police. He was reportedly armed with a pistol and a shotgun. Investigations into his motive are ongoing.
Of the 10 victims, seven were students, with six females and three males killed on-site. A fourth female victim later died in hospital. The tragedy has left the city of Graz, Austria’s second-largest city, in deep mourning.
On Tuesday night, thousands gathered at the city’s main square for a candlelight vigil, transforming the area around the Archbishop Johann fountain into a sea of flickering lights. Many in attendance, especially the youth, stood in solemn silence, embracing one another, praying, and weeping as they paid tribute to the lives lost.
“This is an example of solidarity,” one mourner told reporters. “You grieve together, and together it is easier to cope.”
In response, Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker declared the day a “national tragedy,” saying the shooting “strikes our country right at its heart.” A three-day mourning period has been announced, with flags flying at half-mast and a nationwide minute of silence scheduled.
The school remains closed as investigators continue their work. Meanwhile, Graz residents have mobilized in support, with long queues seen at local blood donation centers. “I felt helpless,” said one donor. “Giving blood felt like the only way to help.”
This tragedy follows previous mass shootings in Austria, including the 2020 Vienna attack. Yet, the sheer scale and setting of this incident inside a school has deeply shaken the nation, prompting calls for reflection on safety and mental health.
