Austria’s deadliest school shooting: 10 killed at Graz high school, gunman identified

A 21-year-old former student opened fire inside BORG Dreierschützengasse secondary school in Graz on Tuesday morning, killing ten individuals—eight students, one teacher, and one administrative staff member—and injuring at least twelve more, before fatally shooting himself in a school restroom, according to Austrian state police and the Federal Ministry of the Interior. Officials confirmed the assailant acted alone and had legally acquired the firearms used in the attack.

This is now the deadliest school shooting in Austria’s modern history and has prompted a national response that includes a three-day mourning period, a national moment of silence, and urgent reviews of firearm regulations and school safety measures.

What happened at BORG Dreierschützengasse in Graz?

Gunfire erupted around 9:55 a.m. local time at BORG Dreierschützengasse, a public secondary school in Graz’s Lend district. According to Director General of Public Security Franz Ruf, emergency calls were made within minutes, triggering a full-scale police and paramedic deployment. More than 300 officers, including Austria’s elite Cobra tactical unit, arrived on scene and secured the perimeter by 10:12 a.m.

Officers located the suspect deceased inside a restroom on the second floor. Initial forensic analysis confirmed a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Surveillance footage and witness accounts indicated the shooter entered the school with a Glock handgun and a shotgun—both legally registered—and discharged approximately 40 rounds across two classrooms.

Who were the victims and how many were injured?

Authorities confirmed that eight students and two adult staff members were killed during the attack. One of the students died later in intensive care at the University Hospital Graz. Among the twelve wounded, at least four remained in critical condition as of Tuesday evening, according to the Styrian Health Authority.

The victims’ identities have not been made public, but the Bosnian Embassy in Vienna has stated that multiple students of Bosnian descent were among the deceased, and expressed solidarity with their families. Graz Mayor Elke Kahr described the shooting as a “terrible tragedy that has torn families and this city apart.”

Who was the shooter and what do authorities know?

The gunman was identified as Artur A., a 21-year-old Austrian citizen and former student of the same school, who left without graduating. Interior Minister Gerhard Karner stated that the shooter had no prior criminal record or psychiatric history known to authorities. The Glock pistol used in the attack had been purchased five days before the shooting, while the shotgun was acquired legally more than a year ago.

A farewell video addressed to his mother and a written note were recovered from his residence. Local media, citing law enforcement sources, reported that the shooter referred to past bullying and feelings of social isolation. However, Karner emphasized that no definitive motive has been established and the investigation is ongoing.

Additionally, a non-functional pipe bomb was recovered, suggesting some level of premeditation, although explosives experts determined there was no additional danger to the public.

How has the Austrian government responded?

Chancellor Christian Stocker visited Graz within hours of the attack and called the shooting “a dark day in Austria’s post-war history.” The Chancellor ordered a three-day national mourning period, with flags flown at half-mast across federal institutions and a moment of silence held nationwide at 10:00 a.m. on June 11.

Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr condemned the attack and affirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring schools remain secure environments. The Ministry of Education has dispatched trauma support teams to Graz, and BORG Dreierschützengasse will remain closed indefinitely.

Interior Minister Karner said in a press briefing that Austria’s gun ownership laws—while strict by international standards—would undergo immediate review. “We need to assess how someone so young could legally obtain lethal weapons and what safeguards may be lacking,” Karner said.

What’s Austria’s history with school shootings?

Austria has maintained one of the lowest rates of school-related violence in Europe, despite a relatively high civilian gun ownership rate of 30 firearms per 100 residents. Prior incidents include the 1997 Zöbern school shooting, in which a 15-year-old killed a teacher, and a 2018 shooting in Mistelbach that resulted in injuries but no fatalities.

This makes the Graz incident the most lethal school shooting in Austria since World War II. The country has previously focused its firearm policy on preventing terrorism and domestic violence, with less emphasis on school-targeted mass shootings.

The last comparable event in terms of civilian casualties was the 2015 Graz vehicle attack, when a man drove through a pedestrian area, killing three. That event, too, prompted debate about Austria’s response mechanisms to lone actors exhibiting psychological distress.

What support is being provided to survivors and families?

Survivors were transported to the Helmut List Arena, where crisis counselors from the Styrian Red Cross and local NGOs provided psychological support. Additional trauma teams were deployed from Vienna and Salzburg. According to city officials, over 200 students and staff will receive structured therapy in the coming days.

Mayor Elke Kahr emphasized the city’s focus on recovery, noting that “the psychological aftermath of this trauma will linger long after the police tape is gone.” The Ministry of Social Affairs has also activated emergency assistance packages for victims’ families, including bereavement compensation and counseling stipends.

Are changes coming to Austria’s firearm licensing laws?

The Graz shooting has ignited immediate calls for legislative reform. Austria currently issues firearm licenses through local authorities, requiring proof of age, background checks, and storage compliance—but not continuous mental health screenings or time-based renewals for license holders under 25.

Parliamentarians from the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) and Social Democrats (SPÖ) have called for a bipartisan task force to propose updates to the Weapons Act. Policy experts are discussing potential measures such as mandatory psychological evaluations, license suspension protocols for individuals flagged by schools or family members, and digital traceability of ammunition sales.

What’s the European and international reaction?

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen issued a statement expressing condolences and underscoring solidarity with Austria. Germany’s Interior Minister Nancy Faeser called for enhanced information-sharing across EU nations on firearm purchases and lone actor risk assessment.

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also coordinating with Austrian authorities after reports that Bosnian-origin students were among the victims. International coverage of the shooting has highlighted both Austria’s rare exposure to school shootings and the deep societal impact of this attack.

What are the next developments to watch?

As of June 11, forensic teams continue to analyze the shooter’s devices, digital history, and video messages. The Austrian Federal Criminal Police Office (BK) has launched a detailed audit of the licensing process for both firearms recovered, and results are expected within the next two weeks.

The Ministry of Education is planning to convene a national summit on school safety before the end of the month. Policy proposals emerging from this event are expected to include early-warning systems for behavioral red flags, increased funding for school psychologists, and secure entry-point upgrades for older campuses.

While Austria remains in mourning, this moment is also likely to catalyze a broader conversation across Europe about how to prevent school violence in societies where gun ownership, social isolation, and mental health risks intersect in increasingly unpredictable ways.