A devastating school shooting in Graz, Austria, has left 10 people dead, including the gunman, and 12 others injured. Among the victims are six women and three men, Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner confirmed on Saturday. The attacker, identified by media as 21-year-old Artur A., was a former student of the school but did not graduate.
The gunman reportedly took his own life in a school bathroom following the rampage at the Dreierschützengasse secondary school, which occurred just before 10:00 a.m. local time. Police stated he used two legally owned firearms—a long gun and a handgun. Authorities confirmed there was no prior criminal record for the perpetrator.
Special forces secured the scene within 17 minutes of arrival, officials said.
The motive for the attack remains unknown. According to BBC reports, investigators are currently working to determine what led to the tragedy, while officials have urged the public to avoid speculation as the criminal investigation continues.
Seven of the injured are in critical condition, the Styria Hospital Association confirmed. According to Kronen Zeitung, five teenagers and two adults were undergoing emergency surgery at Graz University Hospital.
Austria will observe a three-day national mourning period, and flags have already been lowered to half-staff at the Hofburg Palace.
Police confirmed that both students and at least one adult were among the deceased, while the identities and ages of the victims have not yet been made public. A large-scale police operation remains ongoing at the scene.