Austria: How Did a School Shooting Claim 11 Lives?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- 11 lives lost in a tragic incident in Graz.
- National mourning period declared for three days.
- Public gatherings have been canceled or postponed.
- Former student identified as the shooter.
- A nationwide minute of silence will be observed.
Vienna, June 11 (NationPress) A three-day period of national mourning has commenced in Austria as the nation grapples with the aftermath of a devastating school shooting that has left the country feeling "stricken at the heart".
Reports indicate that at least 11 individuals, including the perpetrator, lost their lives in the tragic incident in Graz, Austria's second-largest city. Additionally, another 11 individuals have been hospitalized with serious injuries.
This shooting is being characterized as one of the most severe in Austria's history, according to the nation's largest publication, Kronen Zeitung.
Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen announced the national mourning and ordered flags to be flown at half-staff, stating, "what happened today in a school in Graz strikes our country at the heart."
Leaders from the government, including Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker, Vice-Chancellor Andreas Babler, and Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger, convened in Graz on Tuesday evening to honor the victims.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed her sorrow on social media, saying, "Schools are symbols of youth, hope, and the future. It's hard to bear when schools become places of death and violence."
The incident occurred at BORG school in Dreierschutzengasse, located in the Lend district, shortly before 10 a.m. local time (0800 GMT) on Tuesday. Authorities identified the suspected shooter as a 21-year-old former student of the school, who ultimately took his own life.
Police forces have been deployed across the region, including a helicopter unit. The school was evacuated, and local authorities confirmed that there is currently no further danger.
A nationwide minute of silence will be observed on Wednesday at 10 a.m. local time, and public celebrations have been canceled or postponed, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
One resident of Graz shared their disbelief, stating, "You don't have words for such things. Austria is such a lovely country. We stay together, we live together, and such tragedies like this today are unbelievable."