Graz, Austria school shooting: Victim death toll rises to 10 after BORG Dreierschützengasse mass shooting

The death toll from a horrific school shooting in Graz, Austria has risen as a tenth victim died in hospital following what is now the country’s worst school shooting in modern history.

On Tuesday, a 21-year-old Austrian man, who has not yet been identified, travelled to his former school with guns.

The attacker, a former BORG Dreierschützengasse high school student, arrived at the school that he did not graduate from.

Around 10am, he opened fire.

As emergency calls were made, and gunshots were heard by those in surrounding areas, more than 300 police raced to the scene.Ambulances also arrived within minutes as the premises were cordoned off.

Police said they believed the 21-year-old Austrian shooter, who was found dead in a bathroom, had been operating alone when he entered the school with two guns and opened fire.

The gunman killed ten people and the himself.

The Salzburger Nachrichten newspaper said in an unconfirmed report that the suspect, armed with a pistol and a shotgun, had opened fire on pupils in two classrooms, one of which had once been his own.

It has been reported the gunman had been a victim of bullying. Police said investigations into a motive were continuing.

Victims of Austria’s worst school shooting in modern history

Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said six of those killed at the school were female and three were male.

Graz Hospital later confirmed the death of a 10th person.

Mr Karner said another dozen people had been injured but gave no further details about the victims.

Austrian media said most were pupils.

Terrifying vision of the incident circulated on social media in the wake of the deadly attack, with multiple gunshots heard.

DISTRESSING CONTENT WARNING

Chancellor Christian Stocker called the shooting a “dark day in the history of our country”.

Locals have described how “everybody knows somebody” at the school due to the size of the city of Graz which has a population of 300,000.

“There are no words for the pain and grief that we all - all of Austria - are feeling right now,” Mr Stocker said.

Mr Stocker travelled to Graz where, at a press conference alongside officials including Mr Karner, he announced three days of mourning.

A minute’s silence was set for 10am on Wednesday.

Flag’s in Austria flew at half mast for the remainder of Tuesday, as the country began mourning the horrific and confronting attack.

The Kronen-Zeitung newspaper said police had found a farewell note from the shooter at his home.

The paper did not say what it contained and police were not immediately available to comment.

An outpouring of grief was seen around Austria, with candles lit for the victims of the horrific event on Tuesday evening.

Julia Ebner, an extremism expert at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue think-tank, said the incident appeared to be the worst school shooting in Austria’s post-war history.

Foreign leaders including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed shock.

Austria has one of the most heavily armed civilian populations in Europe, with an estimated 30 firearms per 100 people, according to the Small Arms Survey, an independent research project.

Lifeline: 13 11 14.

If you or someone you know needs help, phone SANE Australia Helpline on 1800 18 SANE (7263).

Young people seeking support can phone beyondblue on 1300 22 4636 or go to headspace.org.au.

- with Reuters, AP