A tragic school shooting has shaken the Austrian city of Graz, with the authorities releasing information about the suspected perpetrator. The 21-year-old, a native of the Graz area, was previously unknown to the authorities.
The Austrian Interior Minister, Gerhard Karner, revealed at a press conference that the suspected shooter was a former student of the school, but did not complete his studies. The motives behind the attack remain unclear at this stage.
The shooting, which occurred on Tuesday morning, involved the use of a long-barreled weapon and a hand gun, both of which the suspected perpetrator was legally in possession of, having a weapons permit.
In the wake of the tragedy, the school has been closed indefinitely, with plans to establish a memorial space where the school community can mourn and receive psychological support. The Austrian Chancellor, Christian Stocker, has announced a three-day national mourning period.
The shooting resulted in the loss of ten lives, including the perpetrator, with twelve others, some of whom are seriously injured, being treated in hospital. The regional criminal police have taken over the investigation.