At least 10 people have now died in a school shooting in the Austrian city of Graz, authorities confirmed Tuesday. The updated death toll includes the suspected shooter, a 21-year-old local who apparently took his own life inside the BORG Dreierschützengasse secondary school, located in the northwest of the city. Twelve others were injured in the attack, which took place around 10 a.m. local time.
Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner initially reported nine fatalities, describing the victims as six females and three males. The shooter used two firearms recovered by police at the scene. Styrian State Police Director Gerald Ortner said more than 300 officers were deployed to secure the area, assist with evacuations, and manage the response. Emergency services arrived within minutes after receiving calls reporting the shooting.
Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker called the event “a dark day” in the country’s history, announcing a three-day period of mourning. Flags will fly at half-staff on all public buildings and a minute of silence will be observed Wednesday. Stocker emphasized that violence has no place in resolving conflicts and underscored the need for schools to remain safe spaces for children.
The investigation is ongoing under the State Crime Office of Styria, with a crisis intervention team supporting victims and families affected by the tragedy. Victims were initially taken to the nearby Helmut List Hall for emergency care before transfer to hospitals. Authorities also set up a meeting point for parents at the ASKÖ football stadium.
Police urged the public to avoid the area and follow emergency services’ instructions while encouraging anyone with information to come forward. Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen expressed deep sorrow over the loss, noting that the victims were young people with their whole lives ahead of them. “This horror cannot be put into words,” he said.
This latest tragedy in Graz has shocked Austria and raised urgent discussions about school safety and gun violence. The shooting is among the deadliest in recent Austrian history and has prompted national mourning and calls for renewed focus on preventing similar attacks.
