School Shooting in Graz, Austria Claims Eleven Lives

As a journalist and editor, I rarely write in the first person. Truthlytics is committed to impartiality, rigorous research, and principled storytelling. But today, I must make an exception. The tragedy that unfolded in Graz, Austria—the city I call home—occurred just 15 minutes from where I live. This act of violence struck not only close to my neighborhood, but deep into my sense of safety, community, and responsibility. As someone embedded in this city—not just professionally, but personally—I feel compelled to speak not only as a reporter, but as a neighbor, a citizen, and a father.

The Tragedy

Just after 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 10th, a 21-year-old man identified in some reports as “Artur A.” entered the BORG Dreierschützengasse school armed with a legally owned Glock 17 pistol and a pump-action shotgun. In a calculated and devastating assault, he fired approximately 40 rounds into two classrooms, targeting students and staff. The attack resulted in the deaths of eleven people—including seven students, a teacher, and two school employees—before the shooter took his own life in a bathroom stall as police forces closed in.

This tragedy unfolded with chilling speed. Law enforcement responded within minutes of the first distress call. Over 300 officers, including members of the elite EKO Cobra unit and aerial surveillance teams, were deployed. The building was evacuated in just 17 minutes.

Simultaneously, 220 Red Cross responders, 65 ambulances, and 40 crisis psychologists mobilized to deliver emergency medical care and psychological support. A triage and support center was established at the nearby Helmut List Halle to assist survivors and the families of those inside the school.

Authorities later confirmed that the shooter had once attended the school but left without graduating. He held valid firearm licenses under Austria’s Category B regulations, and one of the weapons—a Glock pistol—was purchased only days before the shooting. A suicide note found at his residence is being analyzed for motive. Investigators have indicated that the perpetrator was socially isolated and may have harbored longstanding grievances. Preliminary reports suggest that bullying could have been a contributing factor.

Among the victims were two young people of Bosnian heritage, both Austrian citizens. Their loss has resonated across ethnic and national lines, further intensifying the national mourning. The emotional toll on the Graz community is immeasurable. Schools in the area have suspended classes indefinitely, and support services are being expanded to accommodate the widespread trauma.

This is, unequivocally, the deadliest school shooting in Austria’s post-war history. While the country experienced a school shooting in 1997 and Graz suffered a fatal vehicle attack in 2015, neither came close to the scale and horror of what occurred this week.

Dignity for the Victims

Truthlytics has received several mobile phone videos and images taken by students inside the school during the shooting. These raw, unfiltered materials capture the terror and chaos from within—shaking, sobbing, screams, desperate whispers. While they represent important eyewitness evidence, we have chosen not to publish them. Out of respect for the victims, their families, and the many traumatized students, we refuse to commodify their pain. Responsible journalism is not just about what we can show—it is about what we should not.

By contrast, several Austrian media outlets have chosen to broadcast these videos. That editorial decision has drawn sharp criticism from media ethics experts and members of the public, who argue that such coverage risks retraumatizing survivors and exploiting tragedy. We believe dignity must outweigh sensationalism.

Guns. Lots of Guns.

Austria has one of the highest rates of gun ownership in Europe, with approximately 30 firearms per 100 residents. That translates to more than 2.6 million privately owned guns in a population of about 9 million. Of these, around 1.07 million are officially registered and held by approximately 320,000 licensed owners. However, estimates suggest there may be as many as 1.74 million unregistered or illegally held firearms in circulation.

Austria’s gun laws, though considered strict by global standards, contain significant loopholes. Long guns—such as shotguns and hunting rifles—can be acquired by adults after a brief three-day background check, with no licensing or psychological evaluation required. In contrast, handguns and semi-automatic rifles fall under Category B and require a weapon ownership permit and valid justification. A separate weapon pass is needed to carry firearms in public.

One major flaw in the current framework is the lack of regulation over private sales of Category C firearms. These transactions often occur without oversight or formal checks, allowing individuals to circumvent the intended safety mechanisms of Austria’s regulatory system. This legal gap is increasingly seen as a risk vector, especially when coupled with insufficient mental health monitoring.

Where Do We Go From Here?

Austria has declared three days of national mourning. Flags across the country have been lowered to half-mast, and a moment of silence was held the day after the tragedy. In statements issued shortly after the event, President Alexander Van der Bellen and Chancellor Christian Stocker expressed their condolences and pledged support for the victims’ families. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed their grief, stating that “a place of hope and learning had become a place of death.”

This tragedy must not be allowed to fade into the archives of heartbreak. It must mark a turning point. Austria must act to tighten gun regulations, especially surrounding private sales and mental health evaluations. Schools must enhance safety protocols and invest in violence prevention and mental health infrastructure. Families and educators need more support. Journalists must recommit to ethics.

The young lives lost at BORG Dreierschützengasse cannot be brought back. But we can—and must—act to prevent the next catastrophe. As Truthlytics, and as a citizen of Graz, we pledge to remain vigilant, investigative, and human. This is not just a story. It is our reality—and our responsibility.