Shock in Graz: school shooting – nine dead and many injured!

Shock in Graz: school shooting – nine dead and many injured!

On June 10, 2025, a school shooting in Graz shocked the Austrian public. A 21-year-old former student opened fire, killing nine people, six of whom were female and three of whom were male. Twelve people were also injured, some seriously. The tragic event ended with the suicide of the perpetrator, who took his own life in a toilet in the school building. The police have not yet released any information about the attacker's motive. The perpetrator apparently owned the weapons used legally, which is likely to once again fuel the discussion about gun laws in Austria. More than 300 police officers and over 160 rescue workers were deployed to manage the situation and help the injured. A special alarm plan to care for the victims was activated in order to be able to act quickly and effectively in this critical situation, reports daily news.

Politically, this event is seen as a national tragedy. Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and Chancellor Christian Stocker express their deep sympathy. The latter demands that society sticks together in such difficult times. A sign of mourning is set the following day; At 10 a.m. there will be a nationwide minute's silence for the victims. In Styria, all public events have been canceled over the next few days, and the Graz city government will meet in the afternoon to discuss further steps. The schools remain closed for the time being. Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr has emphasized that schools must be safe places for children and that students and teachers can come together in a town hall to mourn and receive psychological counseling. The mayor of Graz, Elke Kahr, speaks of a “terrible” and “deeply sad” day and reports of a strong emotional impact in the city Mirror reported.

Trauma and support for those affected

Given the magnitude of the incident, it is often forgotten that after such acts of violence, not only the victims, but also their families and the community suffer a deep psychological wound. Comprehensive support for traumatized victims is crucial to avoid long-term consequences. According to the Doctor's newspaper shows that society often fails to offer victims sustainable care. Lack of support can lead to secondary victimization and make healing from the trauma more difficult. The analysis of mass shootings has shown that the majority of perpetrators suffer from social isolation, although there are many connections between their mental health and the crimes committed. Serious family and social problems are often observed, particularly among young perpetrators.

On this basis, it is all the more important that, in addition to grief work, appropriate initiatives for psychological support and integration of victims are also launched. The authorities have already provided a rapid exchange of psychological support and advice on suicide prevention in order to identify and address possible dangers of spiraling at an early stage.