Austria mourns after 11 killed in school shooting

Vienna

Austria has declared three days of national mourning after a deadly school shooting in Graz killed 11 people, including the attacker. Another 11 were seriously injured. The attack happened Tuesday morning at BORG school in the Lend district, shocking the nation.

Authorities say the gunman, a 21-year-old former student, entered the school and opened fire before taking his own life. Police have confirmed there is no further threat. The school was evacuated, and a helicopter was used during the emergency response.

This is now one of the deadliest shootings in Austrian history.

President Alexander Van der Bellen ordered flags to be flown at half-staff. “What happened strikes our country at the heart,” he said. A national minute of silence will be observed Wednesday at 10 a.m.

Government leaders and grieving citizens gathered in Graz to honor the victims. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called schools “symbols of hope” and said the violence was unbearable.

Celebrations across Austria have been cancelled or postponed. The whole country is in shock. One Graz resident said, “Austria is a lovely country. This tragedy is unbelievable.”

The motive behind the attack is still under investigation.