Funeral service in Graz: Thousands remember the victims of the shooting spree

Funeral service in Graz: Thousands remember the victims of the shooting spree

On June 11, 2025, a tragic shooting spree occurred in Graz in which a 21-year-old Austrian killed ten people and injured another eleven. These were mainly young people between the ages of 14 and 17, as well as a teacher who suffered further injuries and later died in hospital. The perpetrator, who was previously considered to be inconspicuous, had legally purchased a shotgun and a handgun. During a subsequent house search, investigators discovered an inoperable pipe bomb and plans for a possible explosive attack. The incident led to national mourning for the victims and a comprehensive discussion about gun law in Austria.

The first emergency calls about the shooting came in around 10 a.m. Special units and around 300 police personnel quickly moved in to secure and evacuate the Federal High School (BORG) in Dreierschützengasse. The rampage and subsequent evacuation were described by authorities as extremely dramatic. All of Austria observed a minute's silence at 10 a.m. and three days of national mourning were declared.

Funeral service on the main square

On June 15, 2025, a memorial service under the motto “We stick together” took place on Graz’s main square. Hundreds of those affected, religious representatives, politicians and emergency services were present. The event lasted about an hour and included speeches from students, parent representatives as well as musical performances from students, the HIB art choir and the Graz University of Art. Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen addressed a video message to the mourning community, while Chancellor Christian Stocker (ÖVP) and Mayor Elke Kahr (KPÖ) also gave speeches. Kahr also spoke on Sunday evening after the other speeches.

The funeral service drew several thousand people to the city center, which led to significant restrictions on public transport. Replacement buses for the trams were made available by 8 p.m. and toilet blocks and Red Cross contact points were set up. The police and security guards were heavily present to ensure the safety of visitors. Video walls were also set up for spectators who could not find a place on the main square.

Medical situation of the injured

Looking at the medical situation of the injured, we can report that all eleven injured are now in a stable condition. At the LKH University Hospital Graz, all six patients were transferred to the normal ward. At UKH Graz, two of the five patients are still in the intensive care unit.

Gun law in focus

The shooting spree has sparked a comprehensive discussion about gun rights in Austria. The perpetrator had acquired the weapons legally, which has led many to call for stricter gun laws. Mayor Kahr and other politicians have pointed out that it is necessary to examine new regulations. An online petition entitled #aufstehn for an immediate ban on firearms has already collected over 88,100 signatures and is aimed at Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) and the federal government.

There are currently 1,518,873 legal firearms in Austria, owned by around nine million people. Experts warn that while the hurdles to obtaining firearms appear challenging, the gunman has successfully overcome them. In recent years, the number of weapons law documents has increased significantly, raising additional concerns.