On June 10, 2025, a former student opened fire at Dreierschuetzengasse High School in Graz, Austria, killing 10 people before taking his own life. The unprecedented act of gun violence shocked the nation, prompting three days of national mourning.
The 21-year-old suspect, an Austrian from the Graz region and a former student at the school, used two legally owned weapons in the attack. Police confirmed he acted alone and died by suicide in the school’s toilet. The motive remains unknown. Nine victims were initially confirmed dead, with a tenth succumbed to injuries in the hospital. Seven victims were female, and three were male.
Twelve others sustained severe injuries, and police are providing support to witnesses and affected families.
Mourners light candles at a memorial for victims in Graz, Austria, where a former pupil killed 10 people and himself in the country’s deadliest school shooting in modern history https://t.co/LrbMdVWkL7 pic.twitter.com/2BA6oJG17v
— Reuters (@Reuters) June 11, 2025Heavily armed police, a helicopter, and paramedics rushed to the school, which serves around 400 students aged 14–18. Nearby businesses, including a supermarket and bank, closed for the day. Residents expressed shock, with one American expatriate noting the rarity of such violence in Graz, a city known for its safety.
Flowers and candles accumulated outside the school, reflecting community grief. Resident Roman Klug, 55, described the school as “open and diverse,” underscoring the tragedy’s jarring impact.
Chancellor Christian Stocker declared three days of national mourning, calling the shooting “an act of unimaginable violence” and a “national tragedy.” Interior Minister Gerhard Karner confirmed the suspect’s background, noting he had not completed his studies at the school. Condolences poured in from European leaders, highlighting global solidarity with Austria.
Austria school shooting latest: Gunman was former student and took own life in toilet https://t.co/B79G3FHMik pic.twitter.com/XNE92clxPL
— The Independent (@Independent) June 11, 2025School shootings are rare in Austria, making this incident particularly shocking. The event has sparked discussions about gun laws and school safety, though authorities have not yet indicated specific policy changes. The tragedy underscores the global challenge of preventing such acts of violence.
The Graz school shooting on June 10, 2025, claimed 10 lives and left Austria reeling from an unprecedented tragedy. As the nation mourns, Chancellor Stocker’s call for unity resonates. With ongoing support for victims and their families, Austria faces the difficult task of healing and addressing the root causes of this devastating event.
