Austria is observing three days of national mourning following the deaths of 10 individuals who were killed when a gunman assaulted a high school in the southern city of Graz.
The event that occurred in Graz, Austria’s second-biggest city with approximately 300,000 inhabitants, marked the most lethal mass shooting in the nation's modern times within the Alps.
Authorities are looking into the reasons behind the assault conducted by the shooter, whom they recognized as an ex-student of the institution who did not complete their graduation.
According to unverified reports from Austrian media outlets, the attacker was named as "Artur A." This individual had apparently never been involved in any criminal activities before. It is said that he ended his own life in the school restroom following the incident.
In the course of searching the home of the suspected individual, law enforcement discovered blueprints for a planned explosion along with a dysfunctional pipe bomb.
They similarly discovered both a typed and hand-written suicide note directed at the perpetrator's parents.
"So far, no motives have been derived from the farewell letter," said Public Security Director Franz Ruf to public broadcaster ORF on Tuesday night.
On Wednesday morning, the hospital management authority in Graz stated that all patients were in a stable condition.
Nine remained in intensive care units; one required an additional surgery for a facial wound, and another needed an operation on their knee injury. Meanwhile, two others have been transferred to regular wards.
According to local media reports, the 21-year-old resided with his mother. A neighbor informed OE24 that "he was extremely shy."
Shooter owned two weapons
The alleged shooter had two guns that were confiscated by law enforcement following the incident.
He had lawfully obtained both firearms and was said to have successfully completed the mental health assessment needed in Austria for acquiring what is known as a "Category B" gun ownership permit.
In Austria, firearms are predominantly used for hunting instead of personal protection. Certain weapons like rifles and shotguns can be bought at the age of 18 without needing a permit.
Other weaponry like repeater shotguns or semi-automatic guns are harder to get hold of — purchasers require both a firearm possession permit and an arms license.
The unusual incident, causing widespread sorrow and astonishment in Austria, may instigate a national discussion about tightening firearm restrictions. This could become particularly pertinent as the country boasts relatively lenient gun control policies compared to most European nations but also exhibits higher rates of personal weapon possession.
The mayor of Graz, Elke Kahr, has already advocated for an outright prohibition on personal firearms. She stated that gun permits "are granted too hastily" following the incident.
Ruf mentioned that the case will undergo scrutiny with gaps being addressed. He also stated that the individual responsible for the act was not permitted to take the weapons beyond their residence.
Local media suggested that the institution might not have been ready for such a large-scale assault, considering that school shootings do not often occur in Austria. The head of public security, Franz Ruf, mentioned that inquiries would commence to examine ways in which educational institutions could enhance their preventative and protective strategies so as to prevent comparable catastrophes from happening again.
The Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker described the disaster as "unfathomable."
He stated that schools should continue to be havens of tranquility—places where kids can develop and acquire knowledge.
The administration also mentioned that various crisis intervention groups have been established to assist both the victims and their relatives, along with setting up a helpline for those impacted.
"The school ought to be a secure environment for all individuals, allowing students to grow. Anyone requiring assistance following today’s incident should receive support," stated Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr.