A tragic school shooting occurred in Graz, Austria, where a former student, aged 21, killed nine students and a teacher before taking his own life. Authorities reported that the assailant meticulously planned the attack but appeared to shoot his victims randomly, leaving investigators puzzled regarding his motive.
The gunman, who had dropped out of BORG Dreierschützengasse high school three years prior after attending for three years, had no known personal connections with the victims aside from one teacher who had previously taught him. Police are investigating if this connection was related to the shooting. This heartbreaking event prompted Austria to enter three days of national mourning, with many individuals laying candles in Graz’s main square and outside the school as a tribute to the victims.
The shooter, an Austrian resident living with his mother near Graz, was not publicly identified by officials. He used a Mercury double-barreled shotgun and a Glock 19 handgun during the attack. According to Michael Lohnegger, head of Styria province’s criminal police office, the perpetrator arrived at the school on a Tuesday morning with a backpack containing the weapons. He prepared for the crime by wearing shooting glasses and headphones in a bathroom before unleashing a seven-minute shooting spree.
During the attack, he opened fire indiscriminately on students on the third floor of the building before forcing his way into a locked classroom on the fourth floor and shooting again. Lohnegger noted that the shooter had sufficient ammunition to continue but surprisingly turned back to the bathroom, where he fatally shot himself in the head.
A search at his residence uncovered a farewell letter and a video, which contained an apology to his family regarding the crime, but did not provide any clues about his motive. Additionally, a handwritten note revealed that he had planned the attack in great detail, although it did not specify a date for the crime. This note also indicated that he was unable to complete a functional pipe bomb, as investigators discovered a non-working device at his home.
Police characterized the shooter as “a very introverted person” who did not engage in many real-world activities. His primary interest was taking part in online first-person shooter games. Despite this, there were no indications from those in his personal life that he expressed any anger or resentment toward the school or its staff. Investigators highlighted that he had no prior police record and faced no notable issues while attending the school.
At the time of the shooting, the attacker was participating in unspecified vocational training. He legally purchased the shotgun in early April and obtained the Glock from a different shop in late May. The assailant held a weapon owner’s license, which included a psychological evaluation reportedly completed in March. Furthermore, from March onward, he had engaged in shooting practice five times at a local shooting club, utilizing a rented firearm.
The tragic outcome resulted in the deaths of six girls and three boys, all aged between 14 and 17. In addition, eleven additional individuals were injured during the incident, although authorities confirmed that their lives were not in danger following the attack.
