Non-childish showdown: shooting occurred at an Austrian school

At least ten people were killed and 28 injured in a shooting at an Austrian school in Graz. Students and teachers were among the victims. According to preliminary data, the perpetrator, a former student of this school, also died. Details of the tragedy can be found in the Izvestia article.

What is known about the shooting at the Graz school

A shooting occurred at the Austrian Federal Higher School Gymnasium (BORG), located in the large Austrian city of Graz, at about 10:00 local time (11:00 Moscow time). According to one of the eyewitnesses, about 20 shots were fired. The perpetrator opened fire in two classrooms. According to the Kurier and Kronen Zeitung newspapers, the shooter was a 22-year-old former student of the school. The perpetrator, according to preliminary information, used one or more firearms.

At the moment, ten people are known to have died, including schoolchildren and teachers. 28 injured people are in hospitals, at least four of them in extremely serious condition. The exact number of victims is still unknown.

158 paramedics are working at the scene. 65 ambulances arrived at the school. Two psychological support centers for victims have been set up near the educational institution.

At the moment, the version that the attacker acted alone is the main one. According to unconfirmed information, we are talking about a 22-year-old former high school student who was bullied by classmates during his studies. The version that there were several intruders has not yet been confirmed.

The alleged perpetrator committed suicide. He was found dead in the bathroom of an educational institution.

The school is being searched, and several police units and the Cobra anti-terrorism unit are involved in the work. Residents of the city were asked to avoid visiting the area near the school. At the moment, people have been evacuated from the educational institution. After 12:00 p.m. local time, the police reported that the situation was under control.

Reaction to the incident

Politicians and other media personalities expressed their condolences to the relatives of the dead and injured. A minute of silence was announced at mass events.

Austrian Chancellor Christian Stoecker canceled all planned events and, accompanied by Interior Minister Gerhard Karner and Education Minister Christoph Wiederker, headed to Graz. Most of the political events in the country scheduled for June 10 have been canceled. A press conference of the authorities is scheduled for the afternoon.

Graz Mayor Elke Kar was at the scene and called the shooting a "terrible tragedy."

"Especially at times like this, we have to stick together as a society. Hatred and violence should never prevail. Our response to this should be an even stronger commitment to solidarity and respect," wrote Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig on his social media page.

The Austrian football club Sturm Graz posted a post expressing solidarity with the victims of the tragedy. And the organizers of the Nova Rock 2025 festival announced that a minute of silence will be announced at the event in memory of the victims of the shooting.

What happened in Graz 10 years ago

The shooting at the school occurred shortly before the 10th anniversary of the automobile accident in Graz.

Ten years ago, on June 20, in the city center, an SUV driver intentionally killed three people and injured 43 others. The criminal was driving at a speed of 100 km/h and hit pedestrians and cyclists. After that, the driver got out of the car and stabbed two passers-by.

On that day, thousands of Graz residents rallied to mourn the victims.