Commemorations in Graz: Reminder of the victims of the 2015 shooting

Commemorations in Graz: Reminder of the victims of the 2015 shooting

On June 20, 2015, a shooting spree shook the city of Graz. A 26-year-old refugee from Bosnia, Alen R., raced through the city center in a green SUV, leaving behind a scene of destruction. In this incident, three people, including a four-year-old child, were killed and 36 others were injured, some seriously. The journey lasted about 2.5 kilometers and ended in front of a police station on Schmiedgasse, where the driver was arrested. Before the rampage, Alen R. had already attacked his fellow human beings with a knife. Investigations into the possible religious background of the crime were launched, accompanied by nationwide discussions about the psychological aspects of such crimes. After several months of processing, Alen R. was found sane in September 2016 and sentenced to life imprisonment. Despite releasing information about his mental health, he was last found dead in his cell on September 23, 2023, with suicide considered likely.

In memory of the victims of the shooting spree in Graz, several commemorations will take place in the city next week. On Sunday, June 15, 2025, a memorial service will be broadcast live from the Catholic parish church of St. Vinzenz at 10:00 a.m., followed by an “hour of mourning” at 6:00 p.m. from Graz’s main square. On Tuesday, June 17th, a memorial session of the state parliament is on the agenda at 9:00 a.m., followed by an interreligious memorial service from Graz Cathedral at 6:30 p.m. These events are intended to both commemorate the victims and provide space for collective mourning and reflection. According to [ots.at](https://www.ots.at/presseaussenderung/OTS_20250613_OTS0109/orf-iii-Schwpointen-von-15-bis-22-juni-gedenk Feiern-zur-tragoedie-in-graz-42-wiener-donauinselfest) this is an essential way not to let the terrible events be forgotten and to promote solidarity to strengthen in the community.

Interplay between commemoration and celebration

Parallel to these commemorative events, the Vienna Danube Island Festival will take place on the same weekend, which begins on Friday, June 20th with a “Culture Today Special” and lasts until Sunday, June 22nd. Live broadcasts of concerts and cabaret performances are presented. This cultural event provides a platform for celebrations and gatherings that are deeply influenced by the country's history. A contrast is created between the serious commemorations in Graz and the happy celebrations in Vienna, which reflects the different reactions to traumatic experiences in society.

In the context of these events, it is important to remember the dramatic fates associated with mass shootings. The term “Amok” has its origins in Malay and describes a situation in which someone attacks and kills in blind rage. These acts, often in public spaces, not only claim human lives, but also leave psychological scars on society. Social discussions about security and prevention have increased after several school shootings, as recently stated in statista.com. The trend towards stricter security precautions at public events is obvious; Nevertheless, the challenge remains to deal with individual acts of a violent nature in an open society.