Shock in Graz: rampage costs 11 lives – perpetrator leaves farewell letter!

Shock in Graz: rampage costs 11 lives – perpetrator leaves farewell letter!

On June 11, 2025, a tragic shooting spree occurred in Graz, Austria, shocking the entire nation. A 21-year-old man, who was considered to have a low profile and a clean record, opened fire in a school, killing ten people before taking his own life. The perpetrator was a former high school student and had used two legal firearms — a pistol and a shotgun — to carry out his horrific act.

According to initial information from the Styrian State Police, several alarming finds were made in the perpetrator's apartment during a search. These included components for a non-functional pipe bomb, a suicide note and a self-recorded video in which he apparently announced his crime. The video was seen by his mother within just 24 minutes of being sent and directly influenced police action. She immediately informed the authorities, but fate took a tragic turn.

Details about the rampage

The crime occurred on Tuesday morning around 10 a.m. in Dreierschützengasse. Han's witnesses said that the perpetrator appeared inconspicuous shortly before the massacre. The police were at the scene within a few minutes and were able to bring the situation under control after 17 minutes. During this time, rescue workers were also mobilized to care for the injured. Eleven people suffered injuries in the rampage, some of them very serious, and one of them, an adult woman, succumbed to her serious injuries in the evening, bringing the death toll to a total of ten.

A dramatic scene occurred at the school: the perpetrator ultimately retreated into a school toilet and took his own life when the police approached. These circumstances demonstrate the serious consequences of uncontrolled violence and shake the morals of society. Neighbors also reported that the perpetrator was not perceived as aggressive or conspicuous, which makes the motive for such a rampage seem all the more mysterious.

Mourning for the victims

As a result of the shocking events, three days of national mourning were declared in Austria. A funeral service was held in Graz on Thursday, attended by hundreds of people, to commemorate the victims. The emotional ceremony was accompanied by a sea of ​​lights that expressed the solidarity and compassion of the population.

In summary, the shooting in Graz raises a variety of questions about mental health, safety in schools and the use of legal firearms. Despite initial reports of possible bullying incidents during the perpetrator's school years, no clear evidence could be found, which underlines the complexity of what happened. The investigation is ongoing, and many are hoping for answers that could help society prevent such tragic incidents in the future.

For further information on the background and investigation into this incident, see also FAZ and [t-online].