GRAZ, Austria — A tragic shooting at a high school in Graz has left nine students and a teacher dead, sending shockwaves through the community and prompting a national mourning period. Investigators revealed that the assailant meticulously planned the attack, yet his motives remain unclear.
The gunman, a 21-year-old former student of the BORG Dreierschutzengasse, returned to his old school three years after dropping out. Despite intensive scrutiny, officials have not found any personal connections between him and the victims, apart from one teacher who had previously instructed him. Authorities continue to explore whether this relationship could have influenced his actions.
Following the attack, which occurred Tuesday morning, the city of Graz has seen an outpouring of grief. Candles have been lit in memory of the victims in the main square and outside the school grounds. Austrian authorities have declared three days of mourning in their honor.
On the day of the shooting, the assailant entered the school with a double-barrel shotgun and a Glock 19 handgun concealed in a backpack. Michael Lohnegger, head of Styria province’s criminal police office, reported that the gunman donned shooting glasses and a headset in a bathroom before initiating a brutal seven-minute rampage. He targeted students indiscriminately, moving from the third to the fourth floor, where he unlocked a classroom door to continue the horrific attack.
While he had ample ammunition, Lohnegger noted it was unclear why the gunman ceased shooting at that moment. Afterward, he returned to the bathroom and took his own life. In the aftermath, authorities found a farewell letter and video in his home, conveying an apology to his family but lacking any clear explanation for his violent actions.
Evidence has emerged indicating that the shooter had strategically planned the incident, detailing his approach without specifying a date for the attack. A handwritten note revealed that he had intended to create a pipe bomb but lacked sufficient time for its assembly. Although investigators discovered an unworkable bomb at his residence, their inquiries have consistently pointed to a picture of a reclusive individual.
Known to be passionate about online gaming, particularly first-person shooter titles, he had not displayed any signs of anger or resentment toward his former school or peers, according to those familiar with him. Authorities confirmed he had no prior police record and noted that there were no apparent issues during his time at the school.
At the time of the assault, the gunman was involved in vocational training and had legally purchased both firearms, with a license requiring psychological evaluation—a report reportedly completed in March. He had participated in shooting practices five times prior to the incident, further demonstrating his familiarity with firearms.
The tragic attack claimed the lives of six girls and three boys, aged 14 to 17, and one teacher, while eleven others sustained injuries that officials say are not life-threatening. The community of Graz, grappling with the aftermath of this devastating event, seeks answers and healing in the face of unimaginable loss.