Tragic School Shooting in Graz, Austria Claims at Least Eight Lives
In a devastating incident that has shocked the nation, at least eight people have been killed in a shooting at a school in Graz, Austria’s second-largest city. The attack occurred shortly before 10 a.m. on Tuesday at BORG Dreierschützengasse high school, where a gunman allegedly opened fire in two classrooms, targeting both students and teachers.
According to eyewitness reports and local media, including the Austrian newspaper Kronen Zeitung, the shooting sent waves of panic through the school corridors. One witness described hearing as many as 20 gunshots ring out in quick succession. The terrifying moments unfolded rapidly, with teachers and students caught off guard, some seriously injured in the attack.
The husband of one of the teachers trapped inside the school told Kronen Zeitung that his wife had been barricaded in a classroom along with her students, desperately trying to shield them from the shooter. Emergency services responded swiftly, dispatching special forces to the scene following the initial emergency call received at around 10 a.m.
Authorities moved quickly to evacuate the school, with police confirming via social media platform X (formerly Twitter) by 11:30 a.m. that the building had been fully evacuated. Everyone present had been taken to a designated safe meeting point, and the situation was declared “secured,” with no further danger to the public.
Details surrounding the shooter remain unclear. While it has not been immediately confirmed whether the suspect was among the casualties, Kronen Zeitung reported that a suspect was found dead in a bathroom within the school premises. The identity and motives of the attacker have yet to be disclosed as investigations continue.
Graz, home to roughly 300,000 residents, is situated in the southeastern part of Austria and is known for its rich cultural heritage and academic institutions. The city has been left reeling from the tragedy, with local officials expressing their condolences to the families of the victims and pledging support for those affected by the shooting.
The incident has once again brought into focus the issue of school safety and gun violence in Europe, where such attacks remain relatively rare but deeply traumatic when they do occur. Authorities have urged the public to stay calm and allow law enforcement to carry out their work as they piece together the circumstances leading up to this horrific event.
As the investigation unfolds, the community of Graz mourns the loss of innocent lives and grapples with the shock of violence in a place meant for learning and growth. Support services have been mobilized to assist survivors and families impacted by the tragedy.
Further updates are expected as police and officials continue their inquiries into the shooting.
