With hoary Vienna Woods as backdrop Graz, Austria, is in mourning. A heartbreaking targeted shooting at the Dreierschützengasse secondary school on Tuesday reverberated through this normally peaceful city, shattering its innocence. The “intelligent” attack was carried out in the morning rush and tragically killed ten people. Nine of the deceased were students, and the tenth was a teacher, making it one of the deadliest incidents in Austria’s history.
The perpetrator, a 21-year-old Austrian national, had been a student at the school but dropped out before graduating. He would grab a rifle and a handgun, setting off a violence-filled rampage that horrified—yet united—his community. Like many, you might be wondering how such an unimaginable act could occur in a country more famous for its absence of gun violence.
Authorities stated that nine of the students — aged 14 to 17 — were among those killed. The tenth victim was a female elementary school teacher named Yorgun, who died late Tuesday night in the hospital from her injuries. Among those killed were one Polish national and one French student, all other victims being Austrian citizens. As a result of the attack, eleven of the 15-26 year-old joggers had injuries. Of the thirteen, eight were Austrian citizens, two were Romanian citizens, and one was an Iranian citizen.
When officers arrived on scene, one victim was pronounced dead outside of school grounds. The suspect eventually died by suicide in a bathroom inside the school just minutes after the shooting. Investigators are currently investigating a homemade bomb which was located at his residence. They found a suicide note and an elaborate video message that may provide clues as to why he committed the shooting.
Gun violence is an extreme rarity in Austria. In 2021, the country recorded a firearm homicide rate of just 0.1 per 100,000 inhabitants. This incident has therefore sent shockwaves throughout the nation and raised alarms about potential underlying issues that may have led to the attack. Community leaders and citizens alike are grappling with the aftermath of this tragedy, seeking answers and support in these trying times.
In light of this horrific event, local authorities are working diligently to assess the contents of the note and video left by the shooter. Their goal is to determine what other factors ever contributed to this senseless act of violence and how so. That investigation will certainly take time as officials search the mountains of evidence to piece together this still-unprecedented situation.
When such an unfortunate event happens, waves of impact ripple through the whole community. Now, schools and families are faced with the difficulty of recovery and healing. Friends and neighbors will hold candlelight vigils and memorials to honor those we’ve lost. This solidarity reveals the deep connection citizens share as they collectively grieve side by side.
