Austria in Shock After School Shooting in Graz Kills 10, Including Gunman

Austria In Shock After School Shooting In Graz Kills 10, Including Gunman

It started like any other school day in Graz. But within moments, BORG Dreierschützengasse school was in chaos—and Austria was rocked by one of its deadliest school shootings in recent memory.

On Tuesday morning, just after 10 a.m., a former student entered the school and opened fire. According to The Guardian, ten people are dead, including several students and the suspected shooter himself, who is believed to have died by suicide at the scene.

“There was panic, screaming, everyone just started running,” one student told Austrian broadcaster ORF. “It didn’t feel real.”

Police were on the scene within minutes. A full-scale operation followed—helicopters overhead, the elite Cobra tactical unit deployed, streets sealed off, and terrified parents gathering at a nearby stadium for answers.

Graz mayor Elke Kahr called it a “terrible tragedy,” telling The Guardian the city is in mourning.

Officials are still piecing together the motive, but they’ve confirmed the shooter acted alone. No additional suspects are being sought, and there’s no ongoing threat to the public.

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer expressed heartbreak in a statement shared by Reuters, calling the event “shocking beyond words” and urging the nation to stand together.

At least seven students and one adult are among the victims, as reported by AP News. The gunman’s identity hasn’t been officially released, but sources indicate he was a former student with no current ties to the school.

Parents described scenes of confusion and horror. “We got a call from our daughter—she was whispering, hiding in a classroom,” said one mother, her voice breaking in a clip aired by ORF. “We just told her to stay quiet and wait.”

The school has been evacuated, and counseling teams have been dispatched to support students and staff. Authorities set up a crisis hotline and urged the media to respect the privacy of those affected.

Social media has been flooded with messages of grief and solidarity. Hashtags like #GrazStrong and #PrayForAustria began trending within hours.

This tragedy has reignited debates about mental health support and school safety in Austria. But today, those conversations are taking a back seat to grief.