WafricNews - June 11, 2025

GRAZ, AUSTRIA - Austria has been plunged into national mourning following a devastating school shooting in the southern city of Graz that claimed 10 lives and left 12 others seriously wounded. As the nation paused for reflection, authorities disclosed they had uncovered a homemade bomb at the suspect’s home, intensifying questions about how such a tragedy could unfold in one of Europe’s safest countries.

The 21-year-old attacker, a former student at Dreierschuetzengasse secondary school, reportedly opened fire on Tuesday before ending his life in a school restroom. Law enforcement confirmed that he acted alone.

The discovery of a non-functional improvised explosive device during a search of his home added a chilling layer to the already harrowing incident. A letter left behind for his parents gave no clear explanation for his motive, authorities said.

Graz — known for its peaceful streets, academic institutions, and cultural diversity — woke up on Wednesday in mourning. Outside the school, which teaches around 400 pupils aged 14 to 18, stunned residents laid candles, flowers, and handwritten messages.

“It is truly shocking. I was scared for my younger brother,” said 22-year-old university student Mariam Fayz, one of many who gathered at the memorial site.

The Austrian government has declared three days of national mourning, and at 10:00 a.m., the entire country observed a minute of silence in memory of the victims. Chancellor Christian Stocker called the tragedy “a national wound that will take time to heal.”

Among those killed was a 17-year-old French exchange student, according to his father. Nine people died at the scene, while a tenth succumbed to injuries in hospital.

The attacker, an Austrian national from the Graz region, had previously attended the school but never completed his education there. According to Interior Minister Gerhard Karner, the two firearms used were registered in his name.

While the motive remains unclear, local media have suggested that the gunman may have experienced bullying during his time at the school. The incident has ignited renewed debate in Austria about mental health support for youth, gun access laws, and school safety protocols.

“We have classmates who say he was often mistreated,” said one current student, Ennio. “Today, we just want space to grieve and try to understand.”

Condolences have poured in from leaders across Europe, including French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

But the grief has been most deeply felt in the tight-knit Graz community, where many residents say the violence feels alien and senseless.

“In the U.S., sadly, this is all too common. But here, in Graz? It feels surreal,” said an American-born mother whose children attend a nearby primary school.

“Graz is known for being inclusive and safe,” added local resident Roman Klug, 55. “This school, in particular, was a symbol of openness.”

A Rare Yet Growing Pattern in Europe

Though Austria has one of the lowest gun violence rates in the world, Tuesday’s attack follows a worrying rise in non-terror-related school attacks across Europe in recent years:

These attacks — while still uncommon — suggest a broader social and psychological strain affecting youth across the continent.

In the days ahead, Austria will grapple not only with mourning the dead, but also with hard conversations about youth mental health, gun regulations, and community resilience.

As one human rights advocate told WafricNews, “From Nairobi to Newtown, and now Graz, the global crisis of safety in learning spaces must be taken seriously. Schools should be sanctuaries, not sites of violence.”

For now, Austria grieves — and the world watches, mourns, and wonders how such darkness reached one of Europe’s brightest corners.


By WafricNews Desk.