Why it matters:
This is one of the deadliest school shootings in Austria’s recent history, shaking a country with relatively low rates of gun violence. The tragedy raises urgent questions about school security and mental health in European educational institutions.
The big picture:
The shooting occurred at the BORG high school on Dreierschuetzengasse in Graz, the capital of Styria province.
Victims reportedly include both students and teachers.
Authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims or the suspected shooter, who is believed to have been a student at the school.
What they're saying:
Sabri Yorgun, a spokesperson for Graz Police, confirmed that the special operations unit Cobra was deployed after the emergency call at 10 a.m.
“We are currently working to get a full picture of the situation,” he told local outlets.
Police have urged the public to stay away from the area while investigations remain ongoing.
Go deeper:
Graz, a city of around 300,000, is not typically associated with mass shootings, and the incident has stunned both locals and officials. Austria has strict gun laws by global standards, making this event particularly jarring. The focus in the coming days will likely center on the shooter’s background and how the weapon was acquired.
Mojtaba Darabi
