(Image source from: Independent.co.uk)
On Tuesday, a tragic incident occurred at a school in Graz, Austria, where a shooter killed ten people before taking his own life, according to city mayor Elke Kahr. She characterized the event as a "terrible tragedy," noting that both students and staff members were among the deceased. The mass shooting took place at the BORG Dreierschützengasse high school, and the perpetrator, believed to be a student, reportedly died by suicide during the incident. The shooter's body was discovered in the school's restroom. While the shooter's identity and further information are currently unknown, law enforcement officials suspect that the assailant acted alone. Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner has announced his imminent arrival in Graz.
Police reported that they responded promptly to the scene after receiving a call reporting multiple gunshots at the high school. According to police spokesperson Sabri Yorgun, "Special forces were dispatched to the high school after a call was received at 10 am (local time). Authorities are working to assess the situation." He added that an investigation has been launched. At 11:30 am (local time), the Graz police department announced via social media platform X that the school had been evacuated, and both students and staff had been relocated to a safe location. They also verified that there was no further threat at the site, declaring the area "secure," and confirmed the fatalities, stating that the incident resulted in the deaths of nine students and one faculty member. At least ten other people sustained injuries during the shooting and have been transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
European Union spokesperson Paula Pinho conveyed that "we would like to express our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and the entire city of Graz in Austria. We stand together in mourning as we seek clarity in the aftermath of this terrible event at the school." Graz, with a population of just over 300,000, is situated about 200 kilometres southwest of Vienna, the nation's capital. It holds the distinction of being Austria's second-largest city. Austria maintains stringent gun control regulations, requiring licenses for firearm ownership. Applicants are required to undergo a fitness test, demonstrate proficiency through gun safety courses, and ensure secure storage for weapons. Certain weapons, such as pump or machine guns, high-capacity magazines, rapid-fire guns, and sound suppressors, face restrictions or prohibition. Minors are prohibited from possessing firearms, and non-European residents must obtain a special permit to import firearms into Austria. However, according to the Small Arms Survey, an independent research project, Austria has one of the most heavily armed civilian populations in Europe, with approximately 30 firearms per 100 people.
