Thousands of people across Austria gathered for a candlelight vigil to honor the victims of a tragic school shooting in Graz that claimed 10 lives. Image: AP Photo/Darko Bandic
(The Post News)- Thousands of people across Austria came together for a candlelight vigil to remember the lives lost in a tragic school shooting that took place on Tuesday, where 10 people were killed. The gunman, whose name has not been made public, was a former student at Dreierschützengasse secondary school who did not finish his education there.
Police stated that the suspect, a 21-year-old former student, sadly took his own life in a school bathroom shortly after the attack in Graz. It was the deadliest event of its kind in the country in recent times.
On Wednesday, police said they found a goodbye letter and a non-working pipe bomb at the suspect’s home. The reason behind the attack has not been confirmed.
Six females and three males were killed in the attack, and a seventh female passed away later in the hospital. It has been reported that seven of those who died were students.
At the vigil on Tuesday night, people in Graz said they hoped to fill the city’s main square with candles, and they made that hope come true.
In the gentle silence, thousands of mostly young people gathered throughout the evening. Some came alone, while others held the hands or shoulders of friends. They lit candles, shed tears, and spent time in prayer or silent reflection.
The Archbishop Johann Fountain, often seen as the heart of Graz’s old town in front of city hall, became a symbol of the country’s grief and unity on Tuesday night. The country has declared three days of mourning, and earlier today, a nationwide minute of silence was held at 10:00 a.m. local time to honor the victims.
Since this morning, flags at the Hofburg Palace in Vienna where President Alexander Van der Bellen’s office is located have been flying at half-mast as a sign of respect.
Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker said Tuesday was a “dark day in our country’s history” and called the shooting a national tragedy. Stocker spoke at the conference, saying: “A school is more than just a place to learn it is a space for trust, for feeling comfortable and for having a future.” He added that this safe place had been “violated.”
The school where the attack happened will stay closed for now, until further notice.
European Commission Vice-President Kaja Kallas said she was “deeply shocked” by the news. She wrote on X, “Every child should feel safe at school and be able to learn free from fear and violence.”
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