Asger Risom
A gunman opened fire at a school in Graz, killing at least 10 and critically injuring several others. Authorities are calling it the deadliest shooting in Austria’s modern history.
Austria is reeling from what local officials and media describe as the gravest armed attack the country has ever witnessed. The city of Graz was the scene of a mass shooting Tuesday that left ten people dead, including the gunman, and at least 12 others hospitalized in critical or serious condition.
A Devastating Attack at a Local School
According to a report from HotNews.ro, the attacker opened fire inside a school in Graz, causing mass casualties before being found dead. Among the injured are seven individuals undergoing emergency surgery: two adults and five adolescents, all in critical or serious condition.
The regional hospital association of Styria confirmed that a total of 12 people are being treated for trauma. Meanwhile, crisis intervention teams are assisting around 600 individuals, including witnesses, victims’ families, and first responders exposed to the scene.
Historical Context of Violence in Austria
Although school shootings are rare in Austria, the Graz tragedy follows a grim pattern of mass violence in recent years. Previous school-related incidents include a 1997 shooting in Zöbern and a 2018 attack in Mistelbach, both resulting in serious injuries or fatalities.
Beyond schools, Austria has experienced several deadly incidents, including the 2020 Vienna terror attack, a 2015 vehicular rampage in Graz, and a 2013 shooting of law enforcement officers in Annaberg. In many of these cases, the assailants were either ideologically motivated or dealing with personal crises, prompting wider debates about public safety and mental health.
National Shock and Ongoing Investigation
Local officials and national leaders have condemned the attack, with authorities launching a full investigation into the gunman’s background and motives. Preliminary information suggests the shooter may have been a former student at the school.
Described by a local official as “a black day in our country’s history,” the attack has reignited calls for reviewing security protocols in educational institutions and expanding psychological support systems. As Austria mourns, questions about how such violence unfolded remain unanswered.