Ten years after the Graz amoclauf: memories and grief united

Ten years after the Graz amoclauf: memories and grief united

Zweiglgasse, Graz, Österreich - On June 18, 2025, the tragic amocran in Graz marks the tenth time. The incident occurred on June 18, 2015, when the perpetrator rammed two pedestrians with his vehicle at 12.15 p.m. in Zweiglgasse, Gries district. A woman was seriously injured while a man lost his life in the attack. After racing with the car into Herrengasse, he injured about 50 passers -by, including a four -year -old boy who was also killed. At 12:21 p.m. the driver stopped in front of a police inspection, where he was finally brought out of his car by two police officers with drawn pistols.

memorial events and grief

A week after the amocray, there was a funeral march, in which around 12,000 people took part. The then ÖVP mayor Siegfried Nagl gave a moving speech and reported that he had only barely escaped the amok driver. The perpetrator was brought to trial in September 2016 because of his actions. The jury found him guilty; Due to controversy about his accountability, he was instructed in a forensic-therapeutic center. Most recently, he was in a special department of the Stein Justice. On September 23, 2023, he was found dead in his cell.

In addition to these memories, another tragedy in Graz recently happened: ten days before the tenth anniversary of the amoking, a school became the scene of a killing spree, in which a former student killed nine students and a teacher before he committed suicide. At a memorial event at the main square, between 4,500 and 5,000 mourners came together to commemorate the victim. Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen signed a condolence book and took part in the emotional ceremonies.

political debates on weapons laws

The new events not only triggered grief, but also sparked a new discussion about the weapons laws in Austria. Van der Bellen expressed concerns about the legal provisions that enable a 21-year-old to acquire weapons and ammunition. This is considered alarming by many, especially after the youngest killing spree. The highest policeman demands more security in schools, while the Ministry of Education is thinking about the introduction of security locks in schools.

In the meantime, it turned out that the amok shooter in Graz legally had two weapons, including a shotgun and a pistol. The Austrian weapons laws are considered relatively liberal; A shotgun can be purchased by almost any person without a weapon ban. These circumstances arise from both the population and in the media. Mayor Elke Kahr emphasized the essential necessity of solidarity and cohesion in the period of grief.

The discussion about the tragedy and the associated topics remains intense. Media reports emphasize both the effects of violence and the need to prioritize victim protection in order to avoid "heroization" of the perpetrator. The press council also calls for more sensitivity in reporting in order to adequately reflect on the adverse circumstances of these violent acts.

This time is emocional for the students concerned and the relatives of the victims. A student reported panic and fear during the incident, but also confirmed the unique cohesion among the young people. Her message is: "Our answer is love", which symbolizes hope and resilience in the middle of grief and pain. The reverberation of their impressions will sustain to the city of Graz and all over Austria for a long time.

Kleine Zeitung reports that the city of Graz continues to deal with grief. Nachrichten emphasizes the emotional aspects of the commemorative events, while NZZ analyzed the relevant social and political discussions about weapons laws.