A gunman who opened fire and killed nine people before taking his own life in a school in Austria was a former student of the college, police have confirmed.
Authorities said the gunman, a 21-year-old Austrian national, opened fire in at the BORG school in Graz just after 10am local time.
Interior minister Gerhard Karner said there were six female and three male victims of the shooting, with twelve injured. Some of those injured remain in a serious condition and are being treated in hospital.
The gunman took his own life in the bathroom at the school, police told a press conference.
Mr Karner said that the shooter had licences for his guns and therefore owned them legally. He had attended the school but not graduated.
Austrian chancellor Christian Stocker said there were no words to describe the pain being felt across the country following the attack.
“The school shooting in Graz is a national tragedy that has deeply shaken our entire country,” he said in a statement.
Key Points
- Police confirm 10 have died, including the shooter
- Chancellor calls three days of mourning after 'dark day in our history'
- 21-year-old shooter from Graz died by suicide in the toilet, police believe
- All we know about police investigation into shooting so far
- Mapped: Where the school shooting occurred
In pictures: Graz reacts to school shooting
15:28
,
Rachel Clun
The shooting left nine victims dead and 12 others injured. The gunman killed himself in the toilet, police said.
It is one of the largest mass shootings in peacetime Austria.
Twelve people injured in the shooting
15:10
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Rachel Clun
Authorities have confirmed 12 people were injured in the Graz shooting.
The Austrian Red Cross told Kronen Zeitung that nine of the injured victims were in a serious condition, and two were critically injured.
About 300 students and 200 parents were receiving support from the 220 Red Cross staff who were on site, the news outlet said.
Recap: What did we learn from the press conference?
14:53
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Alex Croft
Here is everything we learnt from the press conference with senior German politicians and police figures:
- Nine people were killed in the shooting in BORG school on Tuesday morning, including six females and three males.
- The shooter used two guns in the attack which he owned legally, and had not previously been on the police radar.
- The gunman was the tenth recorded death, and is believed to have died by suicide in the toilet.
- He was a 21-year-old Austrian who came from the Graz area and had previously attended the BORG school, but did not complete his studies.
- German chancellor Christian Stocker called a three-day national mourning period for what he described as a “dark day in the history of our country”.
Shooter had a licence for his two guns - police
14:46
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Alex Croft
Police are now being asked about the weapons which were used in the attack.
Reports suggest that one was a longer gun and another a handgun. This is put to police, but they say they cannot confirm this information yet.
They do confirm that the shooter had licences for his guns and therefore owned them legally.
Gunman was former pupil who did not complete studies, say police
14:44
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Alex Croft
The gunman was a former pupil of the BORG school who did not complete his studies, interior minister Gerhard Karner said.
Police know that the shooter “used to be a pupil of the school and that he didn’t finish the school”, Mr Karner said.
He added that “everything else is still speculation” which is up to investigators to find out.
21-year-old Austrian shooter died by suicide in the toilet, police believe
14:32
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Alex Croft
Police have now confirmed that they believe the shooter took their own life in the toilet.
The shooter was a 21-year-old person from Graz or nearby.
Two guns were used in the attack, police added. The guns are now being inspected.
“The perpetrator seems to have been allowed to have these weapons,” they added.
Further investigations into the shooter are ongoing.
Six females and three males killed by lone gunman, police confirm
14:29
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Alex Croft
Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner is next to speak.
Police officers were onsite within minutes of the shooting, he says.
The national tragedy cost nine lives, he says: six female victims and three male victims.
The tenth casualty is the shooter, he adds, confirming that it was a lone gunman who carried out the attack.
State premier cancels public events for three-day mourning period
14:26
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Alex Croft
Mario Kunasek, the leader of Styria state, is next to speak.
“As the premier of the state of Styria but also as a father, this has hit me hard, and I think I can speak on behalf of everyone,” he said.
“On behalf of the Styrian state government I would like to give my condolences to the families of the victims.”
The state will not organise any public events for the next three days during a period of mourning, he added.
Schools must be a place where people feel safe, he concludes.
Chancellor calls three days of mourning after 'dark day in our history'
14:21
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Alex Croft
Austrian chancellor Christian Stocker has arrived for the press conference.
Today is a “dark day in the history of our country”, he begins by saying.
The shooting was a “national tragedy which has hit us deeply,” he said, adding that “this was an incredible act and nine people were taken away from us”.
He pays tribute to the emergency responders on the scene and offers condolences to those who lost loved ones.
“Today is all about compassion,” he said, as he called a three-day mourning period in Austria.
Minute of silence to be held in Austria's World Cup Qualifier
14:17
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Alex Croft
A minute of silence will be held before the Austrian national team’s World Cup Qualifer against San Marino in Rimini, Italy.
The players will also wear black armbands, Kronen Zeitung reported.
Press conference due any moment
14:11
,
Alex Croft
A press conference is set to begin any moment, where we will hear an update on the investigation into the mass shooting which has sent shockwaves through Austria.
It was due to begin at 3pm local time but has now been pushed back to 3:15 (2:15pm UK time).
Injured were taken to several hospitals
13:51
,
Rachel Clun
School students and staff injured in the shooting were taken to several hospitals in Graz, the Austrian Red Cross said.
The spokesperson told the media that there were so many injured people they had to be transported to a number of hospitals. He could not comment on the condition of those injured.
More than 160 Red Cross workers were deployed to the school, the spokesperson said.
School shootings in Austria since 1993
13:34
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Rachel Clun
The shooting today in Graz is the largest school shooting in Austria, at least going back more than 30 years.
Since 1993 there have been five school shootings, according to the Austria Press Agency.
Here’s a breakdown of those shootings:
Hausleiten, 1993: A 13-year-old seriously injured a school principal before shooting themselves.
Zobern 1997: A 15-year-old killed a teacher and injured one other student.
St. Polten, 2012: A student was shot by their father.
Mistelbach, 2018: A 19-year-old was shot by another student.
Graz, 2025: Ten dead, including the perpetrator.
Shooting occurs in one of Europe's most heavily armed countries
13:15
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Reuters
Austria has one of the most heavily armed civilian populations in Europe, with an estimated 30 firearms per 100 persons, according to the Small Arms Survey, an independent research project.
Machine guns and pump action guns are banned, while revolvers, pistols and semi-automatic weapons are allowed only with official authorisation.
Rifles and shotguns are permitted with a firearms license or a valid hunting license, or for members of traditional shooting clubs.
Police confirm 10 have died, including the shooter
12:57
,
Rachel Clun
Police have confirmed earlier reports from the mayor of Graz that 10 people have died in the shooting, including the perpetrator.
The state police said several people were also seriously injured.
Last mass shooting five years ago
12:45
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Rachel Clun, Reuters
There have been several mass shootings in the last few decades in Austria.
In 2020, four people were killed and 22 injured when a convicted jihadist went on a shooting spree in the centre of Vienna in 2020.
In May, 2016, a 27-year-old killed two people and injured 11 others before killing himself at a music concert in Nenzing.
In November 1997, a 36-year-old mechanic shot dead six people in the town of Mauterndorf before killing himself.
European leaders share condolences following Graz shooting
12:35
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Rachel Clun
European leaders have shared their condolences with the families and the victims of the school shooting in Graz.
EU Commisison president Ursula von der Leyen said the news “hits hard”.
“My thoughts are with the victims, their families, and friends,” she said on X.
“Schools are symbols of youth, hope, and the future. It is hard to bear when schools become places of death and violence.”
The European Union’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas said she was “deeply shocked” by the news of the shooting.
“Every child should feel safe at school and be able to learn free from fear and violence,” she said. “My thoughts are with the victims, their families and the Austrian people in this dark moment.”
Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni said she learned of the shooting with sorrow.
“My condolences and those of the entire Italian Government go to the families of the victims, together with a thought I wish to extend to the injured and their loved ones,” she said.
Police urge witnesses to share videos of attack
12:18
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Rachel Clun
Austrian state police have urged witnesses to the school shooting in Graz to share any videos or photos of the attack to help in their investigation.
“Your information could be crucial for police investigations!” the Styrian police said.
The police urged witnesses not to upload footage directly to social media but instead use the official police portal.
#graz1006 Veröffentlichen Sie keine Bilder oder Videos vom Einsatz in den Sozialen Netzwerken! Laden Sie vorhandenes Bild-und Videomaterial unter folgendem Link auf unserer Plattform hoch: https://t.co/Bkrnlzrdqz
— Polizei Steiermark (@PolizeiStmk) June 10, 2025
Austrian president says the country mourns
12:12
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Rachel Clun
Austria’s president Alexander Van der Bellen said the country is in mourning following the Graz shooting.
“This horror is one which cannot be put into words. What happened today in a school in Graz has struck our country right in the heart,” he said in a statement.
“These were young people who had their whole lives ahead of them. A teacher, who guided them on their way. There is nothing that can ease the pain that the parents, grandparents, siblings, and friends of the murdered are feeling in this moment.
“Austria mourns. And in this hour we stand together. We stand together, to withstand the pain together. We stand together, to be there for all of the injured.
“Today, and in the heavy days ahead, which will be heavy, our country will show that our strength lies in this togetherness.”
Schools are meant to be safe spaces, chancellor says
12:03
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Rachel Clun
Christian Stocker said today’s shooting will affect the whole country.
“A school is a place of trust, security, and hope. That this safe space was so brutally shattered has left us stunned and taken aback,” he said.
“My condolences to those who were wounded and suffered immeasurable emotional distress as a result of this unimaginable act of violence, and to all the students and staff.
The Austrian chancellor also thanked emergency services for their rapid response to the difficult incident.
“Today it's about compassion and being there for one another. In these difficult times, humanity is our strongest asset,” he said.
Austrian chancellor says shooting has 'shaken our entire country'
11:56
,
Rachel Clun
Austrian chancellor Christian Stoker says his thoughts were with the families and parents who have lost a child in the shooting.
“The school shooting in Graz is a national tragedy that has deeply shaken our entire country,” he said in a statement.
“Through this incomprehensible act, young people have been torn from the lives they still had ahead of them. There are no words to express the pain and grief that everyone across Austria is feeling right now.”
Watch: Mother describes panicked phone call from son about Graz school shooting
11:49
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Rachel Clun
Austria's foreign affairs minister shaken by the shooting
11:38
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Rachel Clun
Austria’s foreign affairs minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger said she was deeply shaken by the shooting.
“The reports of the rampage in Graz deeply shake me. It is incomprehensible and unbearable,” she wrote on X.
“My sympathy and sorrow are with the victims and their families. No one can imagine the suffering; as a mother of three children, it tears my heart apart.”
State governor says shooting is 'unbelievable'
11:34
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Rachel Clun
Styrian governor Mario Kunasek has expressed his horror after the shooting in the state’s capital of Graz.
“It's unbelievable what happened in Graz today. As the governor of Styria and as a father, I am deeply affected by this madness that has brought so much misfortune and unbelievable suffering. My thoughts are with the innocent victims, families and teachers,” he said in a translated post on Instagram.
Death toll rises to ten: Reports
11:32
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Rachel Clun
Local media now reports the death toll has risen to 10.
Earlier, Kronen Zeitung reported that four people were in an extremely critical condition, including some with gunshot wounds to the head.
Shooting comes 10 years after last mass attack in Graz
11:30
,
Rachel Clun
The school shooting comes nearly 10 years to the day of Graz’s last mass attack.
On 20 June, 2015, a man drove a vehicle at high speed through the centre of Graz, killing three people and injuring 43 others - one of whom died months later.
At one point in that attack, the perpetrator jumped out of the vehicle and stabbed two people before driving to a police station where he was arrested.
Alen Rizvanoic was sentenced to live in prison over the attack in 2016. He died by suicide in 2023.
Reports the shooter was a former student
11:25
,
Rachel Clun
Austrian media is reporting the lone shooter was a 22-year-old former student of the Graz school that was attacked this morning.
Salzburger Nachrichten reported that initial information suggested the gunman had a pistol and a shotgun, allegedly both legally owned.
Those reports are unconfirmed by police at this stage.
Vienna's mayor 'deeply shocked' by shooting
11:19
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Rachel Clun
Vienna’s mayor, Michael Ludwig, said he was “deeply shocked” to learn of the shooting.
“My deepest condolences go to the victims, their families, and all those who are now experiencing immeasurable suffering,” He said in a translated post on X.
“It is precisely in such moments that we as a society must stand together. Hate and violence must never gain the upper hand. Our response to this must be an even stronger commitment to unity and respect.”
Dozens injured, many critical according to reports
11:14
,
Rachel Clun
Twenty-eight people have been rushed to hospital following the shooting, and several are in a critical condition following the shooting.
Kronen Zeitung reports that some of the victims have suffered gunshot wounds to the head.
According to that newspaper, there were 158 paramedics on site and 31 crisis intervention staff.
Police say only one perpetrator involved
11:07
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Rachel Clun
Styrian state police said they believed only one perpetrator was involved in the shooting.
“Currently, it is assumed that there is one perpetrator. Situation secured - no danger,” the police said on X.
The Styrian police said students and their parents were being supported by the crisis intervention team.
Seven students, one adult among the victims
11:00
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Rachel Clun
Seven students and one adult are among the dead following this morning’s school shooting.
Graz mayor Elke Kahr confirmed those details with the Austria Press Agency.
The mayor confirmed to Kronen Zeitung that the shooter was among the dead.
Death toll rises to nine following Graz school shooting
10:57
,
Rachel Clun
Local media reports the death toll has now risen to nine following the school shooting in Graz.
Kronen Zeitung said the local hospital has also been overwhelmed with the injured.
In pictures: Emergency response to school shooting
10:54
,
Rachel Clun
Ambulances and police have responded to the mass shooting in Austria.
Reports the shooter opened fire on two classrooms
10:46
,
Rachel Clun
Local newspaper Kronen Zeitung reports the shooter opened fire on two classrooms in the secondary school in Graz, on Dreiershutzengasse.
More than 10 people are injured, the newspaper reported, and police are undertaking a thorough search of the school building.
The perpetrator was reportedly found dead, the newspaper said.
Mapped: Where the school shooting occurred
10:42
Police say the situation is under control
10:41
,
Rachel Clun
Styria state police say the situation is now “under control” after the school shooting incident, and no further danger is expected.
+++ Die Lage ist gesichert. Es wird von keiner weiteren Gefahr ausgegangen. +++#graz1006
— Polizei Steiermark (@PolizeiStmk) June 10, 2025
Police operation is ongoing
10:34
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Rachel Clun
The police operation at the school remains ongoing, and a police helicopter is being used, the state police force said.
They have set up a meeting point for parents of students at the Asko stadium.
School shooting incident began at 10am, police said
10:31
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Rachel Clun
Police were called to a secondary school in Graz, Austria, around 10am local time to reports of a shooting.
Local newspaper Kronen Zeitung reports at least eight people have been killed and more have been injured, including students and teachers.
