Tragic School Shooting in Graz Unveils National Grief in Austria

Mon Oct 20 2025 09:47:58 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A shocking attack claims 11 lives, leaving the Austrian city of Graz in mourning and disbelief as authorities and citizens reflect on the tragedy.

The recent shooting at a secondary school in Graz, Austria, marks the worst incident of its kind in the country’s history, resulting in 11 fatalities, including the perpetrator. As citizens grapple with the horror of the event, national leaders express sympathy and grief, highlighting the unusual nature of such violence in Austria.

In Graz, Austria, an overwhelming wave of shock and sorrow has enveloped the city following the deadliest school shooting in the nation’s history, which resulted in the tragic deaths of 11 individuals, including the shooter. Local resident Reka expressed her disbelief, stating, "We never could have imagined that this could have happened here, in our place. It's a sad day for the whole city."

The incident unfolded on a Tuesday morning at approximately 10:00 AM when a former student, enraged and armed with two firearms, entered a secondary school located near the main train station in Austria's second-largest city. As classes commenced, many students were poised for their final exams. It took police only 17 minutes to neutralize the situation; however, the aftermath revealed the grim reality — six female students and three male students were killed, while a seventh female victim succumbed to her injuries in a hospital later that day. Several others remain hospitalized, some in critical condition.

The perpetrator, a 21-year-old Austrian man who was formerly enrolled in the school but never graduated due to alleged bullying, ultimately took his own life amidst the chaos. The assault has left residents bewildered, as Graz is known for its tranquility and safety. Local resident Reka recounted the city’s peaceful nature, saying, "This area is quiet, safe and beautiful... the school is good."

Austria’s President Alexander Van der Bellen characterized the event as an unspeakable horror that strikes at the heart of the nation, mourning the loss of young lives that held so much promise. Chancellor Christian Stocker hastily arrived at the scene, labeling it "a national tragedy" that reverberated throughout the country. In commemoration of the victims, three days of mourning have been declared, with flags at the Hofburg Palace in Vienna being lowered to half-mast.

Despite Austria having a high rate of civilian firearm ownership, incidents of mass shootings are extremely rare, with previous occurrences resulting in significantly fewer casualties. Notable past incidents, such as the tragic events in Mistelbach in 2018 and St. Pölten in 2012, have not approached the scale of the recent tragedy in Graz.

Legal ownership of firearms in Austria is strictly regulated. The Graz gunman reportedly possessed his firearms legally and had no prior criminal background. Alarmingly, reports suggest that one of the guns was purchased just a day before the shooting. As the community mourns, a witness outside the school lamented, "It's horrific... This shouldn't happen here," reflecting the deep sense of disbelief permeating the city in the wake of such violence.