Austria Police confirmed on Tuesday (June 10) that a high school in Graz, the country’s second largest city, has experienced a large-scale shooting incident, resulting in at least 10 deaths and dozens of injuries, including the shooter himself. According to Austrian media reports, around 30 injured individuals are currently receiving treatment at hospitals, with some in critical condition.
The incident took place at BORG Dreierschützengasse High School, located approximately one kilometer from the city center of Graz. Authorities reported that the shooter opened fire around 10 a.m. local time on Tuesday. Special forces and a large number of paramedics promptly arrived at the scene, evacuating the campus by 11:30 a.m., confirming its safety with no further danger present.
The specific identity and motive of the shooter are currently unknown, but police believe it was an act carried out by a lone perpetrator. Images from the scene show a large presence of police cars, helicopters, and fire trucks gathered around the campus.
Graz, situated in the state of Styria, is Austria’s second largest city with a population of approximately 300,000. The state governor and leaders of various political parties have expressed shock and mourning, with Graz Mayor Karl referring to the event as an “unimaginable tragedy.” Karl confirmed earlier to the Austrian news agency APA that the shooting incident on Tuesday morning resulted in the deaths of 9 individuals, including 7 students and 1 adult, with the shooter also among the deceased.
Subsequently, authorities confirmed that a total of 10 individuals lost their lives in the shooting. The perpetrator is suspected to have been a student at the school, who likely committed suicide after the act, as he had briefly locked himself in a school restroom following the attack.
Austria’s Chancellor, Christian Stocker, rushed to Graz, calling the incident a “national tragedy” that deeply shocked him. President Alexander Van der Bellen stated, “Such terror cannot be described in words,” expressing condolences for those “young people and their teachers who had a promising future ahead of them.”
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, remarked that schools are meant to be “places of hope and future aspirations,” which have unfortunately turned into scenes of death and violence, making it unbearable.
Austria’s gun regulations in Europe are relatively lenient. EU citizens over 18 years old can purchase rifles and hunting guns, but must register them within 6 weeks and undergo a 3-day waiting period. Purchasing handguns, revolvers, or semi-automatic guns requires the individuals to be over 21 years old and possess a gun license. Applicants need to provide valid reasons like sports shooting or self-defense, and while a psychological assessment can be requested, it is not mandatory.
According to a 2017 Small Arms Survey, Austria has approximately 30 guns per 100 people, ranking 14th globally.