- Deadly Attack: A school shooting in Graz, Austria, left 10 dead—including students, a teacher, and the suspected shooter.
- Community in Mourning: Parents and residents gathered in shock as police secured the scene, while crisis teams supported grieving families.
- Calls for Change: The rare mass shooting in Austria reignited debates on gun control and mental health, leaving a nation searching for answers.
The quiet morning of June 10 in Graz, Austria, shattered in an instant when gunfire erupted inside BORG Dreischützengasse, a local high school. By the time police stormed the building, the damage was irreversible. Ten lives were lost—students, a teacher, and the attacker himself. The city, known for its peaceful streets and vibrant culture, now joins the grim list of communities scarred by senseless violence.
A Community in Shock
Parents rushed to the school in panic after hearing the first reports of gunshots. Some had just dropped off their children; others were at work, oblivious until frantic calls and messages lit up their phones. Police quickly set up a meeting point at ASKÖ Stadium, where families gathered, desperate for news. Crisis teams moved in to console those waiting, but for many, the worst had already happened.
Graz Mayor Elke Kahr confirmed the devastating toll, her voice heavy with grief. “We never imagined something like this could happen here,” she told reporters. The victims included multiple students, their lives cut short in a place meant to nurture them.
The Attack Unfolds
Around 10 a.m., chaos erupted inside the school. Witnesses described hearing loud bangs, followed by screams. Teachers rushed to lock classrooms, while students hid under desks or barricaded doors. Police arrived within minutes, but the gunfire had already stopped. The suspected shooter—reportedly a former student—was found dead, having turned the weapon on himself.
Special police units swarmed the area, and helicopters circled overhead as authorities worked to secure the scene. Officers assured the public there was no further threat, but the damage was done. The school, once filled with laughter and chatter, stood silent.
Public Outcry and Helplessness
As news spread, Austria—a country with strict gun laws and rare mass shootings—struggled to process the tragedy. Social media erupted with anger and sorrow. “How many more children have to die before something changes?” one user wrote. Others shared memories of the victims, their words painting heartbreaking portraits of young lives lost too soon.
Gun control debates flared up almost immediately. Austria has some of Europe’s toughest firearm regulations, yet this shooting proves no system is foolproof. Some politicians called for even stricter measures, while others argued that mental health support should be the focus.
Meanwhile, parents hugged their children tighter, wondering if any school could truly be safe. “You send them off in the morning, expecting a normal day,” one mother said, tears streaming down her face. “You never think it could be the last time.”
What Comes Next?
In the hours after the shooting, grief counselors arrived at nearby schools, preparing to help students cope with the trauma. Vigils were planned, flowers piled up outside the school gates, and candles flickered in the evening breeze.
But beyond the mourning, hard questions remain. How did a former student get a weapon? Were there warning signs? Could this have been prevented? Investigators are still piecing together the timeline, but for now, Graz is left with only sorrow and disbelief.
Austria has faced tragedy before, but never like this. The world watches as a grieving city searches for answers—and wonders if anything will ever be the same.
