Ten dead in Graz school shooting including suspect police confirm

GRAZ, Austria — Ten people have died following a shooting at Dreierschützengasse High School in Austria’s second-largest city, police said on Tuesday. Among the dead are at least seven students, one adult, and the suspected gunman, who is believed to have taken his own life.

The attack unfolded just after 10 a.m. local time, when gunshots rang out inside the school near the city’s central railway station. Emergency services rushed to the scene amid scenes of chaos, as officers secured the building and evacuated students.

“This is a national tragedy,” Chancellor Christian Stocker said in a brief statement. “These were young people with their whole lives ahead of them. A teacher who had accompanied them on that journey is also gone.”

The suspected shooter’s identity and motive remain unclear. Police confirmed he was likely a current or former student but declined to provide further details. The mayor of Graz, Elke Kahr, initially reported nine fatalities but later confirmed the death toll had risen to ten.

Authorities have been cautious with the details, given the ongoing investigation. Several others remain seriously injured, receiving treatment in local hospitals and a nearby event hall converted into a medical centre.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed her sorrow, writing on social media, “Schools are symbols of youth, hope, and the future. It is difficult to bear when schools become places of death and violence.” She also thanked emergency personnel for their work.

The police deployed their specialist Cobra tactical unit in response to the shooting, alongside regular officers. Local schools and institutions have been placed on heightened alert, with counselling and support services activated for students and staff.

Witnesses described harrowing scenes as the shooting unfolded. The community in Graz, a city of about 300,000 people, has been left stunned.

“This is a heartbreaking day for our city and our country,” Mayor Kahr said.

The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have urged the public to remain calm and to respect the privacy of those affected.

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