Funeral service in Graz: Thousands of memory of the victims of the killing spree

Funeral service in Graz: Thousands of memory of the victims of the killing spree

Dreierschützengasse, Graz, Österreich - On June 11, 2025, a tragic killing spree occurred in Graz, in which a 21-year-old Austrian killed ten people and injured other eleven people. Mostly young people between the ages of 14 and 17 and a teacher who had suffered further injuries and later died in the hospital. The perpetrator, who was previously considered inconspicuous, had legally acquired a shotgun and a fist fir weapon. During a subsequent house search, the investigators discovered a non -functional pipe bomb and plans for a possible explosive attack. The incident led to a national mourning for the victims and a comprehensive discussion about weapons law in Austria.

The first emergency calls about the killing spree received around 10 a.m. Special units and around 300 police forces quickly moved in to secure and evacuate the Federal High High Gymnasium (BORG) in the Dreierschützengasse. The authorities described the killing spree and the subsequent evacuation as extremely dramatic. All of Austria held a minute's silence at 10 a.m.

funeral service at the main square

On June 15, 2025, a funeral service took place on Graz's main square under the motto "We hold together". Hundreds of those affected, religious representatives, politicians and emergency services were present. The event lasted about an hour and included speeches by students, parents' representatives and musical performances by students, the Hib Art Choir and the Graz Art University. Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen addressed a video message to the mourning community, while Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker (ÖVP) and the Mayor Elke Kahr (KPÖ) also gave talk. Kahr also spoke to the other speech on Sunday evening.

The funeral service moved several thousand people to the city center, which led to significant restrictions in public transport. Initial buses for the trams were made available until 8 p.m. and toilet houses and contact points of the Red Cross were set up. The police and regulatory guard were very present to ensure the safety of visitors. In addition, video shops were set up for the spectators who found no space at the main square.

medical situation of the injured

If we look at the medical situation of the injured, we can report that all eleven injuries are now in stable condition. In the LKH University Hospital Graz, all six patients were moved to the normal ward. In the UKH Graz there are still two of five patients in the intensive care unit.

weapons law in the focus

The killing spree has initiated a comprehensive discussion about weapons law in Austria. The perpetrator had legally acquired the weapons, which caused many to demand stricter weapons laws. Mayor Kahr and other politicians pointed out that it was necessary to examine new regulations. An online petition entitled #aufstehn for an immediate ban on firearm has already collected over 88,100 signatures and is aimed at Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) and the Federal Government.

Currently there are 1,518,873 legal firearms in Austria, which are observed by a share of around nine million people. Experts warn that the hurdles to obtain firearms seem demanding, but the gunman has successfully overcome them. In recent years, the number of weapons law documents has increased significantly, which has caused additional concerns.