Pope mourns the victim: terrible tragedy in the Graz high school!

Pope mourns the victim: terrible tragedy in the Graz high school!

Graz, Österreich - On June 11, 2025, a tragic killing spree occurred at a upper level real gymnasium in Graz, which throws a deep shadow on the entire society. The 21-year-old perpetrator, a former school student, opened the fire on students and teachers, which led to a devastating balance. A total of ten people were killed, including nine young people between the ages of 15 and 17 and a teacher. In addition, eleven other people were injured and must now be treated in various hospitals. The perpetrator finally committed suicide.

Pope Leo XIV. In an official statement, his sympathy for the victims and their families, teachers and schoolmates. He expressed his prayers for all those affected and the community in Graz. "In such terrible times, it is important that we stand up to each other," said the Pope, while the entire global religious community is in thoughts among the victims. In particular, the cruel circumstances of the attack, which took place in the middle of school time, excited the mind and led to intensive discussions about security in schools.

The reactions of politics and society

The killing spree that started at 10 a.m. quickly triggered a massive use of the police, which asked the population in the school area to avoid the area. Interior Minister Gerhard Karner was on site and felt the urgency with which the situation had to be brought under control. Mayor Elke Kahr, Graz, described the incident as a "terrible tragedy" and the Chancellor Christian Stocker spoke of a "national tragedy". Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen qualified the events as "horror". This uniform reaction from the management level shows how severe the effects of the incident are for the entire nation.

After the shots, around 30 injuries were transported to several hospitals. The school was evacuated, with some of the children and teachers being brought to the Helmut-List-Halle in Graz. The family reunions took place in the ASKÖ hall, where crisis intervention teams were also up to help those affected in this difficult time. The diocese also offered telephone pastoral care around the clock to offer people support.

background of the perpetrator

First investigations have shown that the perpetrator saw himself as a victim of bullying and acted out of revenge. The weapons he used in his attack were legally obsessed. This raises important questions about the conditions that can lead to such a brutal act. In many cases of gauge, there are clear patterns: the perpetrators are often people who suffered from psychological problems, bullying or neglect, but do not necessarily suffer from mental disorders. Statistically speaking, bullying victims are overrepresented in these acts of violence, which indicates that preventive measures are required.

In contrast to the United States, where shootings in schools are increasingly in focus, this is a terrifyingly rare incident in Austria. However, events raise the question of how society is able to better protect endangered young people and increase security in schools. Technological progress in security and preventive programs in schools could be possible approaches to improve the situation to avoid future tragedies.