People light candles for victims of a formaer student who opened fire at a school, fatally wounding 10 people and injuring many others before taking his own life, in Gaza, Austria, Tuesday, June 10, 2025.
Austria is reeling after a deadly school shooting in Graz, marking one of the darkest days in the country’s recent history. On Wednesday morning, the entire nation paused at 10 a.m. for a minute of silence, remembering the 10 lives lost at the BORG Dreierschützengasse high school. The gunman, a 21-year-old former student, ended his rampage by taking his own life.
This attack, considered the deadliest in Austria since World War II, has left citizens grieving and searching for answers.
Graz Grieves Together
Graz, Austria’s second-largest city, has turned its central square into a place of collective mourning. Locals gathered in silence, placing candles and flowers at the steps of the city hall. On Tuesday evening, hundreds attended a solemn service at Graz Cathedral, with many embracing as they tried to process the shock and pain.
Among the mourners was 28-year-old Chiara Komlenic, a former student of the school.
“It was a place of joy for me. I made lifelong friends there,” she shared, tearfully. “It hurts deeply to know that students who walked the same halls are now victims.”
The Country Comes to a Halt
Across Austria, public transportation—buses, trams, and subways—came to a standstill at the moment when the shooting began the day before. In Vienna and beyond, the country united in stillness and sorrow.
The government declared three days of national mourning. Flags fly at half-mast, and public events have been scaled back as citizens grapple with the enormity of the tragedy.
Unclear Motive in Graz School Shooting
Police investigations are ongoing, with many questions still unanswered. The attacker, who lived near Graz, was identified as a former student who never completed his education at the school. Authorities confirmed he used a legally owned shotgun and handgun during the assault.
A farewell letter was discovered at his residence, along with a non-functional pipe bomb. But officials say the letter doesn’t explain why he committed such a horrifying act.
“He bid farewell to his parents, but there’s no clear motive,” said Franz Ruf, Austria’s Director of Public Security.
There is still no clarity on whether the shooter targeted specific individuals or attacked at random. Police confirmed that victims were found throughout various levels of the school, including outside the building.
Hospitalized Victims Remain in Intensive Care
As of Wednesday morning, all surviving victims were reported to be in stable condition. Nine remain in intensive care. One patient needs surgery for facial injuries, another for a knee wound, while two others have been moved to regular hospital wards.
Medical teams in Graz continue to provide round-the-clock care as families anxiously wait for updates.
“Graz Feels Like a Village”
Despite its size, Graz has a tight-knit community. With around 300,000 residents, the sense of shared grief is intense.
“You always run into someone you know here,” said Fabian Enzi, a 22-year-old university student. “That’s why this tragedy feels so personal for everyone. There are a lot of desperate faces around.”
Austria Mourns, But the Pain Lingers
The Graz school shooting has left a deep wound in Austria’s heart. While the minute of silence symbolized unity and collective grief, the emotional scars will take far longer to heal.
As investigations continue, the nation remains haunted by the question: why did this happen?
