10 Dead, Including Gunman, in Austria’s Deadliest School Shooting
Austria is mourning one of the darkest days in its modern history after a school shooting at BORG Dreierschützengasse, a secondary school in the city of Graz, left ten people dead and more than a dozen injured. The attacker, a 21-year-old former student, carried out the massacre before taking his own life, in what authorities are calling a “national tragedy.”
A Calculated Attack
The shooting began shortly before 10 a.m. local time on Monday, June 10. Armed with a Glock 19 pistol, a sawn-off shotgun, and tactical gear, the gunman entered the school he had once attended and opened fire. Within minutes, he killed nine students, aged between 14 and 17, and a teacher, before committing suicide in a school bathroom. Eleven others were wounded, including staff and students, and more than 30 others sustained minor injuries in the chaos.
Police responded swiftly, securing the school within 17 minutes. A bomb squad later confirmed that a pipe bomb found on the attacker was non-functional. Authorities also recovered detailed plans of the attack and a farewell letter, though a clear motive remains elusive.
The Attacker
The shooter has been identified as a socially isolated Austrian male who had dropped out of school three years prior. He had no criminal record and was known to be immersed in violent video games, particularly first-person shooters. Investigators suspect he may have been inspired by infamous school shootings in the United States, including Columbine.
“He lived alone and gave no obvious warning signs,” said Graz Police Chief Markus Leitner. “But he had clearly planned this meticulously.”
Media reports suggest the gunman made cryptic online posts shortly before the attack, further fueling concerns about copycat behavior and the role of digital platforms in extremist planning.
National Response and Mourning
Chancellor Christian Stocker declared three days of national mourning, ordering flags at half-mast and calling for a nationwide moment of silence on June 11. Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen called the tragedy “unbearable” and vowed to support victims’ families.
Over 300 police officers and 65 ambulances were dispatched to the scene. Psychological services have been made available for survivors, students, and staff.
Renewed Gun Control Debate
The massacre has reignited a heated debate over Austria’s gun laws. Although the shooter acquired his firearms legally, critics argue that current regulations are too lenient. Political leaders, including the mayor of Graz and members of the Green Party, have called for sweeping reforms—potentially including a ban on private handgun ownership and stricter background checks.
“A tragedy like this must never happen again,” said President Van der Bellen. “We owe it to the victims to make real changes.”
Austria has historically seen little gun violence, and this is now the country’s deadliest school shooting on record. Experts warn that such incidents, though rare in Europe, may become more frequent if social isolation, online radicalization, and access to firearms continue to intersect.
Looking Ahead
As Graz grieves, schools across the country are tightening security, and politicians are preparing for difficult legislative discussions in the days ahead. Meanwhile, the community continues to rally around survivors and the families of the victims, united in heartbreak but determined not to let this tragedy define their future.
