A tragic shooting occurred at a high school in Graz, Austria, this morning, leaving nine people dead. The shooter, a 21-year-old Austrian man and former student of the school, later took his own life. The victims included six women and three men, with twelve others injured, some critically. The incident lasted just 17 minutes, during which the shooter used two firearms—a handgun and a long gun for which he had a permit.
Authorities found a farewell note at the shooter's home, though this has not been officially confirmed. The attack began as classes started, with students and teachers barricading themselves in classrooms. Despite their efforts, the shooter managed to enter two classrooms before police arrived and evacuated the building.
Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker declared three days of national mourning, calling it a "dark day in our country's history." Flags were flown at half-mast, and a minute of silence is planned for tomorrow. The EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, expressed shock, emphasizing that schools should be safe spaces for learning.
