Austria will observe a National Day of Mourning and a minute’s silence on Wednesday following a tragic school shooting in Graz that left 10 people dead. The attack, carried out by a former student, marks the deadliest case of gun violence in the country’s recent history.
The 21-year-old suspect acted alone before taking his own life in a school bathroom at Dreierschützengasse secondary school, located in the northwestern part of Graz, police confirmed.
Authorities reported that 12 others were injured—some seriously—and investigations into the gunman’s motive are ongoing. A farewell letter addressed to his parents was discovered at his residence, but it contained no indication of his reasons for the attack.
Upon arriving in Graz, Chancellor Christian Stocker described the incident as “a national tragedy” and declared three days of mourning. A nationwide minute of silence will be observed at 10:00 AM (0800 GMT) on Wednesday.
Of the victims, nine were pronounced dead at the scene, while a woman later succumbed to her injuries in the hospital. Among those killed was a 17-year-old French student, according to his father.
Police identified the shooter as an Austrian from the Graz region who had legally obtained two firearms. Although he was a former student at the school, he never completed his studies there, Interior Minister Gerhard Karner confirmed.
In response, residents placed flowers and candles outside the school, which serves around 400 students aged 14 to 18. Nearby businesses also closed as a sign of respect.
The tragedy has shaken Graz, a city known for its safety and diversity. One resident, originally from the United States, expressed shock: “This is unheard of here. In my home country, incidents like this happen more often, but seeing it happen here is difficult to process.”
Condolences poured in from leaders across Europe, including French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that “the news from Graz touches my heart,” while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni extended sympathies to the victims’ families.
Austria, home to 9.2 million people, ranks among the 10 safest countries globally, according to the Global Peace Index. While gun violence is rare, Europe has seen an increase in attacks at schools and universities in recent years.
Notably, a university shooting in Prague in December 2023 claimed 14 lives, while earlier incidents in Slovakia, Croatia, and Serbia have also heightened concerns over school-related violence.
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