Shock in Graz: school shooting claims nine lives!

Shock in Graz: school shooting claims nine lives!

On Tuesday morning, June 10, 2025, a devastating school shooting occurred on Dreierschützengasse in Graz, in which nine people lost their lives. The fatalities include six female and three male students and at least one adult. The suspected perpetrator, a 22-year-old man, is believed to have taken his own life. Police and the Interior Ministry held a press conference at 3 p.m. to provide more information about the incident that has left the city in mourning.  5min.at reports that emergency services were alerted at around 10 a.m. after reports of shots fired.

The rampage not only claimed lives; Seven people were seriously injured and are currently in the operating room. However, the number of injured could still rise. An increased need for blood has been identified in Styria, which is why the Red Cross is urgently asking for blood donations. According to initial investigations, the perpetrator's motive could have been bullying, which further increases the tragedy of this act. Two firearms, a pistol and a shotgun, were used in the incident.

Reactions from politicians and security forces

Reactions from political leaders were predictably concerned. Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker and State Governor Mario Kunasek expressed their sympathy for the victims and their families and thanked the emergency services for their quick response. State police director Gerald Ortner confirmed that the perpetrator came from the Graz area. Primary Christian Kammerlander, who is treating the injured, also commented on the tragic situation of those affected.

Amid this tragedy, three days of national mourning were declared. In order to give those affected a little support, a crisis intervention team was set up to support parents and students on site. The police have also launched an upload platform through which witnesses can provide information about the crime. The students and teachers were evacuated to a safe area, the ASKÖ stadium.

Crisis management in schools

In order to be able to respond better to such critical situations in the future, the Styrian Education Directorate has published guidelines for schools. This consists of 28 pages and provides recommendations for dealing with crisis situations, including school shootings. An important aspect of this guide emphasizes that responsibility lies with the school and the school management, in close collaboration with a crisis coordination team. In the event of a shooting, immediate action must be taken to protect the life and health of everyone.

• Wichtige Empfehlungen im Falle eines Amoklaufs:
• Klassenzimmer nicht verlassen.
• Türen versperren oder verbarrikadieren.
• Personen sollen flach auf den Boden liegen.
• Fenster meiden und Handys abschalten.
• Auf das Eintreffen der Polizei warten.

The situation in Graz tragically shows how important comprehensive preparation for such critical incidents in schools is. The Education Directorate's guidance ensures that schools will be better equipped to respond appropriately to threats and ensure the safety of students in the future. It is hoped that this tragedy can help strengthen preventive measures to prevent something similar from happening in the future. Small newspaper