New revelations to the Graz massacre: perpetrator was not an isolated loner!

New revelations to the Graz massacre: perpetrator was not an isolated loner!

Graz, Österreich - On June 13, 2025, the Youtuber Elijah Tee released a video that delivers new knowledge about the alleged perpetrator of Graz massacre. According to him, this picture contradicts the previous representations of the authorities, who have described the perpetrator as a socially isolated individual offender without a circle of friends and social media activities. However, the video shows that hours before the official press conference, images, names and personal data of the perpetrator were already distributed on social media. More than a dozen social media accounts, under the gamern name "Sini", are active on platforms such as Steam, Reddit, Tumblr, X, Twitch and Discord, which throws a completely different light on the person.

The perpetrator was involved in various e-sports teams such as the "Sissy State Punks" and the "Glacial Guardians". On a Tumblr blog, photos are circulating alleged crutisy weapons, including a glock 19 and a sawn-off shotgun, as well as a selfie that was taken from a school toilet shortly before the crime. In addition, pictures from gamer forums show that the perpetrator provided both harmless youth photos and indications of his radicalization online. The authorities describe him as someone who "lost himself in an ego shooter world" and who had numerous online contacts.

radicalization and social media

The situation around the perpetrator raises questions about the communication of the authorities. Why was the image of a friendly loner without an internet connection when the perpetrator was so actively on social media? These questions are in the context of a broader discussion about radicalization processes that are provoked on the Internet. A new brochure of the extremism prevention center in Styria illuminates the dangers of subtle derogatory messages in online platforms. Daniela Grabovac acknowledges that extremist and contradictory codes that are spread on social media are a serious problem. For example, special hand signals and symbols of groups such as the "gray wolves" are classified as problematic. reports .

The Internet acts as a catalyst for radicalization processes. It facilitates the communication and spread of extremist views. Younger users are particularly at risk; 92% of 14- to 24-year-olds have had experience with online hate speech. This can not only lead to individual radicalization, but also endanger social cohesion and impair democratic discourse. The challenge is to regulate content and at the same time protect the right to freedom of expression. Critics of the regulations fear that they could restrict the right to freedom of expression, while extremist actors adapt their strategies to avoid restrictions ( bpb.de ).

safe online platforms?

Platforms such as Facebook and YouTube moderate content and delete accounts that violate their guidelines. However, such moderations are often missing on alternative platforms, which enables extremist actors to communicate unhindered. In order to counteract this, the "Banhate" app was launched, which allows users to report hate postings. This measure shows the need for information and sensitization for very young people and their environment to better protect them from the risks of the digital world.

The current situation around the perpetrator shows how important it is to recognize the dangers in social media and to proceed in good time against radicalization processes. The case is reminiscent of the complexity of the topic and the challenges that occur when combating extremist tendencies.