Graz, Austria’s second-largest city, woke up to shock and sorrow on June 10, 2025, following a devastating school shooting at Bundes-Oberstufenrealgymnasium Dreierschützengasse. The incident, which unfolded around 10 AM local time, left at least ten people dead, including the suspected gunman, and dozens more injured. Authorities swiftly dispatched police, special forces, and medical teams to the scene near the main train station in Graz’s northwest. The city, known for its vibrant university culture and diverse population, now faces its worst mass shooting outside of wartime in recent memory.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing gunfire and screams as the shooter—identified as a 21-year-old former student—opened fire in at least two classrooms, targeting students and teachers. The suspect, who legally owned a handgun and a shotgun, did not graduate from the school but had reportedly attended classes there. According to police, he was later found dead in a school restroom, believed to have died by suicide. Among the victims were at least seven students and an adult, with the Interior Ministry confirming that six of the deceased were female and three were male. The mayor, Elke Kahr, described the attack as a “terrible tragedy,” echoing the grief that has swept across Austria.
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The Immediate Response and Ongoing Impact
Within minutes of the first reports of gunfire, emergency services flooded the area. Over 150 paramedics, 31 crisis intervention staff, and multiple police units, including the elite COBRA tactical team, arrived to secure the scene and tend to the wounded. A helicopter was deployed to assist with evacuations and medical transport. Nearby hospitals, including the LKH and UKH, were placed on high alert, and the Helmut-List-Halle was converted into an emergency triage center for the injured. By 11:30 AM, authorities had evacuated the school and moved everyone to a safe location, declaring the situation under control and confirming that the shooter had acted alone.
The psychological toll on students, teachers, and families is immense. Many survivors and witnesses are receiving crisis counseling, while the broader community grapples with the reality that such violence could strike a place of learning. Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker called the rampage a “national tragedy,” emphasizing that a school is meant to be a sanctuary of trust and hope. President Alexander Van der Bellen echoed these sentiments, noting the young lives lost and the pain felt by parents, siblings, and friends. “There are no words for the pain and grief that we all—all of Austria—are feeling right now,” Stocker stated.
Community, Grief, and the Path Forward
Graz, a city celebrated for its educational institutions and multicultural fabric, is now at the center of a national conversation about safety, mental health, and gun control. With foreign nationals making up about 25% of its population—including large communities of Croatians, Romanians, Germans, and Bosnians—the city’s diverse residents are united in mourning. Local leaders and citizens have organized vigils, while social media is filled with messages of solidarity and support for the victims and their families.
The shooting has also prompted renewed scrutiny of Austria’s gun laws and school security measures. Although the perpetrator legally owned his weapons, questions remain about how such tragedies can be prevented and how schools can better protect students and staff. The government has pledged to review policies and provide additional resources for mental health support and crisis response. Meanwhile, the community is rallying to support those affected, offering counseling, donations, and a sense of togetherness in the face of unimaginable loss.
This is not the first time Graz has faced mass violence—ten years ago, a vehicular attack left three dead and dozens injured—but the scale and nature of the current tragedy are unprecedented. The city, known for its resilience, now faces the challenge of healing and rebuilding trust among its youth and educators.
If you or someone you know is struggling in the aftermath of this tragedy, reach out to local support services or crisis helplines. Share your thoughts and condolences, and stand with the people of Graz as they work to recover and remember those lost.