Austria in mourning: the rampage in Graz shakes the country

Austria in mourning: the rampage in Graz shakes the country

On Tuesday, June 10, 2025, a killing spree in Graz shook the Austrian society: a 21-year-old man, armed with two firearms, killed ten people and then committed suicide. A total of eleven people died in this tragic incident, while the police confirmed seven female and three male victims by Wednesday morning, including a teacher. This cruel deed led to the proclamation of a three-day state griever throughout Austria, such as meinzirk.at

The killing spree took place at a school in Graz. But what drives a person to such an act? A farewell letter from the perpetrator showed no clear causes. Experts suspect that years of bullying may have led to the young man's revenge fittings. The head of the school medical service of Styria, Josef Zollneritsch, draws attention to the fact that many young people do not feel sufficiently perceived what can lead to spirals. Hundreds of people gathered for a funeral service in Graz to commemorate the victim and ignite a sea of ​​lights.

minute for the victims

In the middle of this grief, a nationwide funeral minute will be held on Wednesday at 10 a.m. All 900 Publises of the Viennese lines, including BIMs, buses and subways, stand still during this minute. Garnites that are between two stops drive to the nearest station and stop there. The Viennese lines have announced that this minute of grief is advertised in the vehicles and at the stops. The stop advertisements will show the message "We stand together for Graz" to express solidarity with the victims and their families.

Wiener-Linien managing director Alexandra Reinagl expressed her deep sympathy for all those affected by these tragic events. The government under Chancellor Christian Stocker (ÖVP) described it as a "national tragedy" and referred to the need to stand together in such difficult times.

discussion about weapons laws

The events in Graz also raise questions about the weapons laws in Austria. These are less strict than in Germany. Certain rifles may be bought by every 18-year-old, while a gun ownership card is required for fist firearms. The perpetrator had received this after a psychological test, which re -wasted the discussion about the appropriateness of the existing regulations. Already in the past there were always discussions about the weapons law, such as after the killing spree in Mauterndorf in 1997. At that time, political actors demanded tightening the laws, but the legal situation ultimately remained unchanged.

The tragedy in Graz will certainly lead to renewed debates about security in schools and how to deal with mental problems of young people. It's not just about the perpetrators, but also about the question of how we, as a society, can support our young people more effectively.