Grief in Graz: Kogler withdraws from politics after killing spree

Grief in Graz: Kogler withdraws from politics after killing spree

Dreierschützengasse, Graz, Österreich - On June 13, 2025, a terrible killing spree on Borg took place in the Dreienschützengasse in Graz. A total of eleven people were killed in this incident, including eight students and two adults, as well as the 21-year-old perpetrator who committed suicide. The perpetrator, a former student, spoke in a farewell letter from bullying and was most recently registered with the labor market service (AMS), where he attended a course. The incident occurred shortly before 10 a.m. when the perpetrator began to shoot in two classrooms. Over 30 other people, both students and teachers, suffered serious injuries. The police mobilized over 300 forces and several Cobra units to control the situation.

Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and Chancellor Christian Stocker commented on the tragedy, while Interior Minister Gerhard Karner confirmed that the perpetrator was not known. A three -day state mourning was proclaimed in Styria, and a minute of mourning has been announced for Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. All public events have been canceled for the next three days.

political reactions and retreats

In the middle of these dramatic events, Werner Kogler, the federal spokesman for the Greens, commented on the killing spree. In an interview, he explained his grief and fainting in the face of the events. Kogler has announced that it will withdraw from top politics in two weeks. As his successor at the head of the Greens, Leonore Gewessler will run, her candidacy is officially for the Federal Party Congress at the end of June. Questions about the future of the Greens and Kogler's personal balance sheet will be dealt with in ORF 2 and ORF ON in the "Press hour" on June 15, 2025 at 11:05 a.m.

school acid drives, such as the one in Graz, have shaken worldwide societies and triggered debates on mental health, weapons law and prevention. Historical examples include the killing spree at Virginia Tech University in 2007, in which 32 people died, as well as the tragedy of Sandy Hook in 2012, in which 26 people were killed, including 20 children. These incidents illustrate the need to have open discussions about bullying and violence in schools and to develop strategies for prevention.

a social challenge

The graz killing spree shows how profound the effects on communities and nations are. Each incident such as a critical examination of national security concepts, mental illnesses and the question of how to effectively prevent violence in schools. The events around the killing spree will stay in the minds of people for a long time and requires society to rethink in the areas mentioned.