Shock in Graz: Amo run costs ten lives-perpetrators was an ex-student!

Shock in Graz: Amo run costs ten lives-perpetrators was an ex-student!

Dreierschützengasse, Graz, Österreich - A terrible incident shaken Graz: On October 3, 2023, a 21-year-old ex-student opened the fire at his former school, the Borg Dreierschützengasse. The killing spree ended with a tragic record of ten fatalities, including eight students and two teachers. The perpetrator also committed suicide and is one of the victims. A total of eleven other people, including seven seriously injured people, were brought to the city's hospitals, two of whom are in a particularly critical condition. The shattering events took place on Tuesday morning when the first emergency calls were made at around 10 a.m.

Special forces from the police and emergency services were on site within a very short time and were able to control the situation after about 17 minutes. The coordination of the 300 police officers and the numerous emergency vehicles in particular was crucial for the course of the evacuation. Affected people were divided into various hospitals, including the LKH Graz and the UKH Graz, which were prepared for a mass incidence of injuries. Mayor Elke Kahr, Graz immediately called for a private weapon ban to avoid future tragedies.

background and investigation

Arthur A., ​​the perpetrator, was not known to the police and legally acquired his weapons, a pistol and a shotgun. The cruel incident raises questions about weapon ownership laws in Austria. In order to obtain a gun ownership card, various requirements must be met: This includes a minimum age of 21 years, a psychological report and the proof of proper handling of firearms. Mayor Kahr, and the Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP), commented on the need to tighten access to weapons. Category A, such as semi -automatic weapons, are currently prohibited in Austria, while for category C (firearms) there is an obligation to report.

While the investigators examine the personal objects of the perpetrator in order to find out possible motifs, a farewell letter was found, but the content of which does not provide any clear indications of the motives of the gunner. Experts suspect that Arthur A. might have been confronted with bullying in his school days, which could have led to his devastating action. The Ministry of the Interior said that everything else about the motifs was speculation.

grief and sympathy

In response to the tragedy, the Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker ordered a three -day state mourning. During this time, funeral services took place to commemorate the victims and their families. The Austrian national football team also competed in a World Cup qualification game with a funeral flor. In Germany, both Chancellor Merz and Federal President Steinmeier expressed their condolences to the bereaved. Political events and party days were canceled due to the severe tragedy to take the mourning into account.

The shocking events in Graz not only raise questions about security at schools, but also for general weapons legislation in Austria. The killing spree has left deep wounds in the community and requires a quick action by politics to prevent similar crimes in the future.