Graz in shock: rampage costs 11 lives – perpetrator not officially known!

Graz in shock: rampage costs 11 lives – perpetrator not officially known!

On June 10, 2025, a school shooting in Graz shocked the public and led to a tragedy with eleven deaths, including the 21-year-old perpetrator who took his own life. The incident occurred around 10:00 a.m. when the former student of the BORG Dreierschützengasse school, who left without a degree, shot targeted students, students and teachers with two legally owned firearms, a long gun and a handgun. Police were alerted at 3:15 p.m. when shots and screams were heard from the school, and more than 300 police personnel were then mobilized for the operation.

The operation of the special forces, EKO Cobra, was successful within 17 minutes of the alarm being raised and security was restored. With a total of eleven victims, including six female and four male, the rampage was one of the worst tragedies in Austria's history. Twelve people suffered injuries, some of them serious; however, no information about their exact conditions has been released. Parents and relatives were looked after in surrounding halls, with the Red Cross being on site with around 220 emergency services to support crisis intervention. More than 200 parents and 300 students were cared for in a special crisis plan.

Unclear motives and government reactions

The perpetrator's motive remains unclear, and while media reports suggest bullying may have played a role, these reports have not been confirmed by authorities. Interior Minister Gerhard Karner emphasized that the perpetrator was not officially known and that reliable information about the crime would be published. Investigations are ongoing, but there are currently no reliable statements as to what could have led to this shocking act. The tragedy resulted in three days of national mourning, during which all public events in Styria were canceled. A minute of mourning was also announced for Wednesday at 10:00 a.m.

Authorities have urged the public to avoid the scene, and crisis teams and individual emergency plans in schools have been highlighted as prerequisites for effective response in such emergencies. Based on various emergency concepts that exist in schools, significant attention is paid to preparing teachers and students in order to be able to act in such critical situations. Emergency folders and regular exercises are essential to avoid misunderstandings and uncertainties in an emergency.

The discussion about the increasing willingness to use violence in society and the reactions of politicians raise new questions. Against the background of global developments and similar incidents, such as the shooting rampage in Erfurt in 2002, the need for action to prevent and improve crisis management strategies is becoming increasingly clear. It is essential that schools and institutions respond more strongly to symptoms of violence and develop preventive measures.

In summary, the shooting in Graz shows that the issue of violence in schools and the need for effective crisis management are more urgent than ever. The tragedy is not only perceived as a painful loss for the families of the affected victims, but also as a warning example for society as a whole to face the challenges of violence prevention.

While the investigation continues, questions remain about the perpetrator's background and preventative measures. The hope is that through targeted action and a better understanding of crisis situations, future tragedies can be prevented.

vol.at reports that…
orf.at provides information about the…
School violence prevention initiatives offer...