A horrific school shooting in the southeastern Austrian city of Graz has left at least ten people dead, including the suspected gunman, in a shocking incident that has rattled the historically safe Alpine nation.
The attack, which unfolded on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, sent shockwaves across Europe and prompted an immediate outpouring of grief and condemnation.
According to Graz Mayor Elke Kahr, confirming details to the Austrian press agency APA, the deceased include several students, at least one adult, and the perpetrator. The incident occurred at the BORG Dreierschutzengasse secondary school.
Police swiftly responded to reports of gunshots in the building, launching a major operation that led to the evacuation and securing of the school.
While specific details regarding the shooter’s identity and motive are still under investigation, authorities have indicated that the gunman, believed to be a 21-year-old former pupil of the school, died by suicide in a school bathroom. Preliminary information suggests he legally owned the two firearms used in the attack.
The tragedy has resonated deeply across Austria, a country consistently ranked among the safest globally. Chancellor Christian Stocker has declared three days of national mourning and a nationwide minute of silence will be observed. “This horror cannot be put into words,” stated Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen, adding that the event “strikes at the heart of our country.”
EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas expressed her “deep shock” on X, emphasizing that “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.”
While school shootings are significantly less frequent in Europe than in the United States, recent years have seen a disturbing rise in such attacks across the continent.
