In a shocking incident that has shaken Austria, a 21-year-old gunman opened fire at a secondary school in Graz, killing nine individuals and injuring twelve others. The horrific event occurred on a Tuesday morning, leading to Austria declaring three days of mourning for the victims. Authorities have confirmed that the shooter, who was a former student at the school, took his own life shortly after the attack.
Students were in the midst of their classes when the first gunshot rang out at around 10:00 AM local time. Confusion quickly spread among the students, with some initially believing the sound was part of a construction accident nearby. Eyewitness accounts reveal the chaotic moments that followed, including teachers locking classrooms and students attempting to flee when they realized the grave danger they were in.
The shooting left a tragic toll on the community, with six females and three males confirmed dead, while one additional victim succumbed to their injuries later in the hospital. Local residents described harrowing scenes, as terrified students evacuated and gathered outside for safety.
Investigators are still working to understand the motives behind the attack, which are not yet clear. Preliminary reports indicate that the shooter legally owned the firearms used in the attack, and authorities discovered both a "farewell letter" and a non-functional pipe bomb at his home.
Austria's gun laws allow for private ownership of certain firearms, making the country one of the most armed civilian populations in Europe, which raises questions about gun regulations in the aftermath of this horrific event.
Students were in the midst of their classes when the first gunshot rang out at around 10:00 AM local time. Confusion quickly spread among the students, with some initially believing the sound was part of a construction accident nearby. Eyewitness accounts reveal the chaotic moments that followed, including teachers locking classrooms and students attempting to flee when they realized the grave danger they were in.
The shooting left a tragic toll on the community, with six females and three males confirmed dead, while one additional victim succumbed to their injuries later in the hospital. Local residents described harrowing scenes, as terrified students evacuated and gathered outside for safety.
Investigators are still working to understand the motives behind the attack, which are not yet clear. Preliminary reports indicate that the shooter legally owned the firearms used in the attack, and authorities discovered both a "farewell letter" and a non-functional pipe bomb at his home.
Austria's gun laws allow for private ownership of certain firearms, making the country one of the most armed civilian populations in Europe, which raises questions about gun regulations in the aftermath of this horrific event.
