Austrian authorities are grappling with the aftermath of a tragic school shooting in Graz that claimed the lives of ten people, including nine students and a teacher, and left eleven others injured. As the nation mourns, investigators have uncovered chilling evidence at the home of the 21-year-old gunman, a former student of the Drechütengasse secondary school, revealing plans for a bomb attack, a non-functional pipe bomb, and a farewell letter and video.
The shooting occurred on Tuesday morning at the school, located in the northwestern part of Graz, Austria’s second-largest city. The assailant, armed with a legally owned pistol and shotgun, opened fire on students and staff before taking his own life in a school restroom. The victims, aged between 14 and 17, included six females and three males, with one student being of Polish nationality. The youngest victim was 14 years old. The attack has been described as the deadliest mass shooting in Austria’s post-World War II history and the worst violent incident in Graz since a 2015 vehicle attack.
During the search of the suspect’s residence, located in the Styrian region where he lived with his mother, police found abandoned schematics for an explosive device, a pipe bomb that was not operational, and a farewell letter along with a video message. In these messages, the gunman said goodbye to his parents and expressed remorse to his mother, but investigators have stated that no clear motive can be inferred from the farewell note. Austrian media have speculated that the shooter may have been a victim of bullying during his time at the school, although this has not been officially confirmed by the police.
Neighbors described the suspect as a withdrawn and introverted young man who had little social interaction and no known criminal record. He had legally acquired firearms after passing the required psychological evaluations and held a valid firearms license. Despite this, he was not permitted to carry weapons outside his home. Reports indicate that he had difficulties in securing employment and did not graduate from the school where the attack took place. His father, of Armenian descent, was not involved in his life following his parents’ separation.
The nation of Austria has responded with profound grief and solidarity. A three-day period of national mourning was declared, with flags flown at half-mast across public buildings. At 10 AM local time on Wednesday, the entire country paused for a minute of silence to honor the victims. Thousands gathered in Graz’s main square to pay tribute, with many expressing shock and sorrow over the loss of young lives and the senseless nature of the violence. Local officials and the public have called for reflection on gun laws and school security measures in light of the tragedy.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack, including the gunman’s motives and any potential warning signs. The discovery of bomb-making plans and a pipe bomb at his home suggests a broader scope of intended violence, which was fortunately not realized. The investigation remains ongoing as Austria seeks answers to prevent such a catastrophe from recurring.
This devastating event has left a lasting impact on the community of Graz and the nation as a whole, prompting a somber examination of social, psychological, and regulatory factors that may contribute to such acts of violence. The memory of the victims is being honored as Austria grapples with the profound loss and the urgent need for healing and prevention.