On June 10, 2025, a tragic mass shooting occurred at a high school in Graz, Austria, claiming the lives of nine individuals, including students and at least one adult. The shooter is believed to have acted alone and was found dead at the scene. This incident marks one of the deadliest in Austrian history and raises issues surrounding the country's gun policies.
Tragic School Shooting in Graz Leaves Nine Dead
Tragic School Shooting in Graz Leaves Nine Dead
A mass shooting at a high school in Graz, Austria, has resulted in multiple fatalities and has raised questions about safety and gun control in the country.
At least nine people were tragically killed in a mass shooting at a high school in Graz, Austria, on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, according to the city’s mayor, Elke Kahr. The shooter, who acted alone, is also reported to have died at the scene, making this the deadliest attack of its kind in recent Austrian history, as well as one of the most devastating school shootings in Europe in recent times.
The events unfolded around 10 a.m. local time when emergency services were alerted to reports of gunfire. Graz police responded with overwhelming force, deploying specially trained COBRA units and a police helicopter to the area. The school was quickly evacuated with students relocated to a nearby stadium for safety. By noon, authorities confirmed that there was no ongoing threat.
As of now, details regarding the identities of the victims are yet to be disclosed, and authorities have not provided information about the shooter or potential motives behind this tragic act.
Mass shootings are exceedingly rare in Austria, with only two recorded incidents in the country from 2000 to 2022. In comparison, the United States has seen a staggering 109 mass shootings in the same timeframe, highlighting a significant difference in the prevalence of such violence. Graz last experienced a mass attack in 2015 when an individual with a history of domestic abuse caused fatalities by driving into crowds and attacking with a knife.
Austria has faced its own challenges with violent acts related to terrorism; just last year, attempts were thwarted to target crowds at a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna. Furthermore, in 2020, a shooting in Vienna led to four deaths and numerous injuries, executed by an assailant previously apprehended for attempting to join ISIS.
Regarding firearms, Austria has been identified as among the most heavily armed countries globally, with around 2.6 million guns in civilian hands, of which only approximately 837,000 are registered. The country ranks 12th for gun ownership per capita, with 30 guns for every 100 civilians. Pump-action shotguns are banned, and obtaining authorization is mandatory for handguns and semiautomatic firearms within its 9.2 million population.
This mass shooting marks a significant moment for Austria, raising urgent discussions on gun control and public safety in the wake of such a devastating event.
