A shooting at a school left at least 10 people dead and several others injured in a tragic episode that shocked the local community on Tuesday (10). The violence occurred in an environment that should have been safe for students and staff, generating great commotion and mobilization of emergency authorities.
According to official information, the fatal victims include both students and possibly members of the school staff, although the exact profile of each of them has not yet been detailed.
The exact number of injured is still being determined, but it is known that many were quickly taken to hospitals in the region to receive urgent care.
The city’s mayor, Elke Kahr, commented on the incident and described it as “a terrible tragedy.” She emphasized the gravity of the situation, which mobilized emergency teams, police officers and specialists to contain the panic and provide assistance to the victims and their families.
Ambulances remained in front of the site for hours, attending to those who needed immediate help.
Law enforcement officials confirmed that the suspect in the attack was found dead at the scene, eliminating the immediate threat to the public.
According to a police spokesperson, the individual was found in a school bathroom, although official confirmation of the suspect’s details is still being verified by the investigation teams.
To ensure people’s safety, the police cordoned off the entire area around the school. Students and others present were removed from the building, while the victims’ families received psychological support and information about how the events unfolded.
The spokesperson reinforced that, despite the tragedy, there is no further danger for the local population.
Such incidents, while rare, raise a number of concerns about gun control and safety in educational settings. In Austria, where the incident occurred, gun ownership is relatively common. The country has one of the most heavily armed civilian populations in Europe, with about 30 firearms per 100 inhabitants, according to data from the Small Arms Survey, an independent research group on gun ownership.
However, even with this high rate of civilian armament, some categories of weapons are restricted or prohibited. Machine guns and pump-action weapons are not permitted, while revolvers, pistols and semi-automatic weapons can only be owned with official authorization.
Rifles and shotguns also require specific licenses for carrying or for activities such as hunting or sport shooting.
The incident caused national and international commotion, with authorities and experts debating measures to prevent new incidents and ensure safety in public places, especially schools, which should be learning and protective environments for children and young people.
This sad episode occurred in Graz, an important city in southern Austria, highlighting the urgency of effective public safety and gun control policies to prevent tragedies like this from happening again in the future.
