Austrian school gunman who killed nine was 21-year-old former pupil, officials say | BBC News

Key Concepts:

• Mass shooting at a secondary school in Gratz, Austria.
• National mourning declared in Austria.
• Suspect: 21-year-old Austrian man, former student of the school.
• Victims: Six females and three males killed; 12 others injured.
• Suspect's death: Believed to have killed himself.
• Gun laws in Austria: Relatively liberal compared to some European countries.

Incident Details:

• Location: Gratz, Austria's second-largest city (approximately 200 kilometers from Vienna).
• Date: Not explicitly stated, but implied to be the current day of the news report.
• Event: A mass shooting at a secondary school.
• Casualties: Nine fatalities (six females, three males) and 12 injuries.
• Suspect: A 21-year-old Austrian man, a former student of the school who did not complete his studies there.
• Suspect's Actions: The suspect is believed to have killed himself in a bathroom at the school. He used two guns, both of which he owned legally.
• Police Response: Police were alerted to the incident at 10:00 local time and secured the area within approximately 17 minutes.

Official Statements and Reactions:

• Chancellor of Austria: Expressed deepest condolences to the families, parents, siblings, and those injured. Emphasized the violation of the school as a safe space and called for unity.
  • Quote: "My deepest condolences to the families... a school is more than just a place to learn... it is a safe space and should be a safe space and this safe space has been violated."
• General Sentiment: The incident has deeply affected the country, with a sense of powerlessness and violation of a safe space.

Aftermath and Response:

• School Evacuation: The school was quickly evacuated, and students were taken to a hall for care before being reunited with their parents.
• Hospital Treatment: The injured are being treated in local hospitals in Gratz. Some reports (unconfirmed) suggest that some victims suffered injuries to their legs.
• Trauma: Significant trauma for parents rushing to the school and for surviving pupils.

Gun Laws and Historical Context:

• Austria's Gun Laws: Described as relatively liberal compared to some European countries, with a high level of gun ownership.
• Legality of Weapons: The suspect legally owned the two guns used in the shooting.
• Historical Context: While there have been individual incidents of school shootings in Austria since the 1990s, this is described as the worst mass shooting in Austria's recent history.
• Recent Incidents: The worst incident in recent years was in 2020 when a known jihadist killed four people in Vienna.

Conclusion:

The mass shooting in Gratz represents a significant tragedy for Austria, prompting national mourning and raising questions about gun control. The incident has deeply affected the community, highlighting the violation of a safe space and the trauma experienced by victims, families, and the wider society. The fact that the shooter legally owned the weapons is likely to fuel debate about Austria's gun laws.