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Graz, Austria Reels After School Shooting Leaves 10 Dead
Austrian authorities are working to understand what motivated a 21-year-old gunman to open fire at his former high school in Graz on Tuesday, killing 10 people before taking his own life. The attack, one of the worst in Austria’s modern history, has left the nation in shock.
Armed with a shotgun and a pistol, the gunman acted alone, according to police. Investigators are searching his home and online activity for clues to explain the horrific event. A pipe bomb found at the suspect’s residence was deemed non-functional.
Paul Nitsche, a religious studies teacher at the school, narrowly escaped the gunman, recounting the surreal experience to national broadcaster ORF: “This is something I couldn’t even imagine before…as I ran down the stairwell, I thought to myself: ‘This wasn’t real.’”
While some media outlets have suggested bullying as a possible motive, citing the gunman’s apparent struggles at the school which he never graduated from, police have not yet confirmed this. A farewell note left by the suspect did not reveal his motive.
Franz Ruf, director general of public security, stated that the investigation is progressing quickly but stressed the importance of avoiding speculation. The attack unfolded rapidly, with only 17 minutes passing between the first emergency calls and the scene being declared secure.
Victims were found both inside and outside the school building. In addition to the fatalities, approximately a dozen people were injured, some seriously.
Austria has declared three days of national mourning. The tragedy has fostered a rare moment of unity among the country’s often-divided political parties.
As the community grapples with the senseless violence, hundreds gathered in Graz’s main square Tuesday evening to mourn the victims. Memorials of flowers and candles have been placed outside the school, and many have lined up to donate blood to help the survivors.