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School shooting in Graz: The inconspicuous perpetrators and their dark isolation
The article sheds light on the shootings in Winnenden and other cities, analyzes the causes, perpetrator profiles and social context.
School shooting in Graz: The inconspicuous perpetrators and their dark isolation
On June 10, 2025, a shooting spree occurred in Graz in which a 21-year-old perpetrator who felt bullied and had a penchant for weapons was up to mischief. This is the first mass shooting in Austria for a long time and brings back memories of previous tragic events in Germany, such as the massacres in Erfurt (2002) with 17 deaths and Winnenden (2009) with 15 victims. When investigating mass shootings, these acts are viewed as warning signs of a deeper social problem. According to Overton, 99 such rampages were recorded worldwide between 1974 and 2006, with them being predominantly carried out by male adolescents.
The number of victims in Graz is shocking and calls for a renewed examination of the background to these crimes. The perpetrator in this incident is considered to be unremarkable and, like many of his predecessors, has shown clear signs of mental health problems. These can be attributed to a lack of emotional connections and social isolation. Experts emphasize that these people are often rejected, humiliated, or affected by other losses before they take action.
Stereotypes and motives of gunmen
Psychological analysis of amok perpetrators shows that they often appear as loners who come from well-off, financially stable middle-class families. A study by Professor Britta Bannenberg as part of the TARGET joint project examined 19 amok attacks between 1992 and 2013. She discovered that the perpetrators were not classic bullying victims, but often had narcissistic-paranoid personalities and had difficulties in their social lives. Many of them felt humiliated and blamed the environment for their suffering, while they bottled up their anger and built up final meetings for the act.
These behavioral patterns can be further specified using the data from the transmission report from Planet Wissen. The retreat to the Internet, where they look for role models and outlets for their anger, plays a crucial role. Often inspired by past mass shootings, these individuals develop an urge to express their suffering through violence and base their thinking on criminological patterns or social role models.
The influence of social ties
Travis Hirschi's research shows that emotional bonds, commitments, involvement in conventional activities, and belief in shared values are essential factors in preventing delinquency. A lack of these bonds is considered a major cause of delinquency. This is especially true when it comes to the psychological wounds that arise as a result of a lack of social interaction. Students and parents are often not sufficiently informed about mental processes and the need for emotional support.
According to Overton, gunmen often show signs of self-esteem problems and depression. Teachers and parents are required to recognize and counteract trauma in a timely manner. This could be a crucial step in countering a further increase in school shootings.