A shooting at a high school in Graz, Austria, on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, resulted in the deaths of at least 11 people, including the suspected attacker. The incident at the BORG Dreierschutzengasse secondary school also left dozens injured in the city, Austria’s second largest.
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This attack marks the deadliest mass shooting in Austria outside of wartime conflicts. Key takeaways include the high casualty count, the identification of the shooter as a former student, and the immediate national and international reactions to the tragedy.
What Happened in Graz
The incident occurred in the morning at the BORG Dreierschutzengasse secondary school in Graz, the capital of the southern Austrian province of Styria. Police were alerted and responded to the school around 10 am local time (08:00 GMT) after reports of gunfire.
Graz is located approximately 200 km (124 miles) southwest of Vienna. It is a city of over 300,000 residents and is known for its universities and diverse population. According to the city administration, foreign nationals make up a quarter of its population, with significant communities of Croatians, Romanians, Germans, and Bosnians.
Casualties and Injuries
According to Graz Mayor Elke Kahr and independent police confirmations, at least 11 people were killed in the attack. The deceased include the suspected shooter.
Mayor Kahr specified that among the victims were at least seven students and two adults. Police reported that at least 30 people sustained injuries during the shooting.
Who Was the Shooter?
Austrian media outlets identified the suspect as a 21-year-old former student of the school. Reports from newspapers like Salzburger Nachrichten suggested the individual had previously been a victim of bullying.
The attacker reportedly used both a pistol and a shotgun. The shootings took place within two classrooms, one of which was said to have been previously attended by the suspect. According to reports from APA and Kronen Zeitung, the suspect was found dead in a bathroom. Local police stated they are operating under the assumption that the perpetrator acted alone.
Official Response
Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker described the attack as a “national tragedy.” In a statement posted on X, he wrote, “The rampage at a school in Graz is a national tragedy that has deeply shaken our entire country. There are no words for the pain and grief that we all – all of Austria – are feeling right now.”
Chancellor Stocker announced that Austria would observe three days of national mourning following the incident.
President Alexander Van der Bellen also issued a statement on X, lamenting the loss of young lives: “These were young people who had their whole lives ahead of them. A teacher who accompanied them on their journey. There is nothing that can ease the pain felt by the parents, grandparents, siblings and friends of the murdered people at this moment.”
On the Ground: Police Operation
Following the initial reports, a large police operation was launched at the school. Local police confirmed via an X post that the school was evacuated, and all individuals were moved to a safe meeting point by 11:31 am local time (09:31 GMT).
Police secured the school premises and stated that they did not anticipate any further danger. The ASKO Stadium, home to local football club ESK Graz, was designated as the meeting point for parents to reunite with students. A police helicopter was also utilized in the rescue operation. Ambulances were seen outside the school providing assistance.
Emergency responders and police at BORG Dreierschutzengasse high school after the deadly school shooting in Graz, Austria on June 10, 2025.
International Reactions
The shooting drew condemnation and expressions of sympathy from international leaders.
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas posted on X, “Every child should feel safe at school and be able to learn free from fear and violence. My thoughts are with the victims, their families and the Austrian people in this dark moment.”
European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen also shared her thoughts on X: “Schools are symbols of youth, hope, and the future. It’s hard to bear when schools become places of death and violence.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy offered his condolences on X, stating, “Schools should never become places of violence. Our hearts go out to the victims, their families, and the people of Austria.”
Context: Mass Shootings in Austria
While Tuesday’s incident is the deadliest outside wartime, Austria has experienced other mass shootings in the past. In 1981, an attack with a machine gun and grenade at a synagogue killed two and injured 30. In 2013, an alleged deer poacher killed three policemen and an ambulance driver. A 2016 concert shooting in Nenzing left two dead and 11 injured before the gunman took his own life. Most recently, in 2020, a shooting in Vienna hours before a COVID-19 lockdown killed four people and injured 23; authorities linked the attacker to the ISIL (ISIS) armed group. Learn more about previous incidents in Austria.
Gun Laws and Ownership in Austria
Gun ownership is relatively common in Austria. Data from the Small Arms Survey indicates approximately 30 firearms per 100 people, positioning Austria among European countries with high gun ownership rates. An Al Jazeera reporter in Graz noted that residents often perceived such large-scale incidents as something that happens elsewhere, not in Austria.
Certain types of weapons, such as machine guns and pump-action guns, are prohibited. Owning revolvers, pistols, and semiautomatic weapons requires official authorization. Rifles and shotguns can be owned by individuals holding a firearms license, a valid hunting license, or membership in traditional shooting clubs.
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