A 21-year-old former student opened fire at BORG Dreierschützengasse high school in Graz, Austria, on June 10, 2025, killing 10 people and injuring 12 others before taking his own life in a school bathroom. The attack marks Austria’s deadliest mass shooting in the country’s postwar history.
Police received emergency calls at approximately 10 a.m. local time and arrived at the scene within minutes. The gunman, identified as an Austrian national who had previously attended the school but never graduated, opened fire in two classrooms using a pistol and shotgun that he owned legally. Special forces and tactical units were deployed to the 400-student secondary school located in Austria’s second-largest city.
Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner confirmed during a press conference that nine victims died at the scene, including six females and three males. Among the initial fatalities were eight students and one adult, believed to be a teacher. A tenth victim, a woman who had been critically injured, later died from her wounds at Universitätsklinikum Graz Hospital. Additionally, 12 people sustained injuries, with some remaining in serious condition.
The suspect acted alone and was found dead in a school bathroom after apparently taking his own life, according to police officials. Karner indicated the shooter had no prior criminal record and legally owned both weapons used in the attack. Authorities stated they had no prior warning about the individual and emphasized that the investigation into his motive remains ongoing.
More than 300 police officers responded to secure the scene within 17 minutes of the initial call. The school was evacuated by 11:30 a.m., with all students and staff taken to safe meeting points. Parents were directed to collect their children at the nearby ASKÖ Stadium, while crisis intervention teams provided support to those affected by the shooting.
Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker declared three days of national mourning following the attack. Stocker described the incident as “a national tragedy that has deeply shaken our entire country.” The government ordered flags to be flown at half-staff at all public buildings and scheduled a nationwide minute of silence for 10 a.m. on June 11.
Local media reports, citing police sources, indicated the shooter carried both weapons into the school and opened fire in classrooms, including one where he had previously studied. The Salzburger Nachrichten newspaper reported that he may have been a victim of bullying, though authorities have not confirmed this information. A farewell note was reportedly discovered at the suspect’s residence, though police have not disclosed its contents.
Austria maintains relatively liberal gun ownership laws within the European Union, with approximately 30 firearms per 100 people. Citizens aged 18 and older can purchase rifles and shotguns without permits, requiring only background checks for weapons bans. Semi-automatic firearms and repeating shotguns require additional licensing and permits for legal ownership.
The shooting represents an unprecedented level of gun violence for Austria, a country that typically ranks among the world’s safest nations. Previous significant attacks include a 2020 Vienna shooting that killed four people, carried out by an Islamic State sympathizer, and a 2015 vehicle attack in downtown Graz that killed three people and injured more than 30.
Emergency responders, including 160 Red Cross personnel, paramedics, and emergency doctors, attended the scene. Video footage showed numerous ambulances and emergency vehicles lining streets around the cordoned-off school area. Public transportation was diverted, and nearby businesses, including a supermarket and bank, closed for the day.
European leaders expressed condolences following the attack. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that schools should be symbols of youth and hope, while EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas emphasized that children should feel safe at school. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán also offered sympathies to the Austrian people.
Graz Mayor Elke Kahr confirmed the death toll and described the incident as a terrible tragedy. The city of approximately 300,000 residents is known for its universities and diverse population, with foreign nationals comprising about 25 percent of the inhabitants. Memorial services were held at Graz Cathedral, attended by senior government officials, including Chancellor Stocker and Interior Minister Karner.
The investigation continues under the State Crime Office of Styria, the province where Graz is located. Authorities established a platform for tips and observations from the public while maintaining that all released information would be verified out of consideration for victims’ families.
