In a shocking unraveling of events following the tragic school shooting in Graz, Austria, law enforcement officials have reported the discovery of bomb attack plans at the home of the 21-year-old suspected gunman. The findings were made during a thorough search, which also uncovered a non-functional pipe bomb, a "farewell" letter, and a video, according to a statement from the police. This horrifying attack, which took place on Tuesday, ended the lives of ten individuals and marked the deadliest school shooting in Austria's recent history.
The assailant, a former student of the Dreierschützengasse secondary school, reportedly took his own life in a bathroom moments after the shooting, leaving authorities and the community grappling with unanswered questions regarding his motives. Alongside the deceased, eleven others were injured during the assault, which has left a lasting impact on the city. Among the victims were nine students aged between 14 and 17, along with a teacher.
In light of the incident, Austria declared three days of mourning, marked by a nationwide minute's silence observed on Wednesday at 10:00 AM local time. During this somber moment, citizens paused to honor the victims, and many expressed their grief and disbelief. A local resident, Tores, recounted the painful loss of a 17-year-old boy she knew personally, emphasizing the tragedy that has touched many lives.
Investigations into the shooter’s background revealed he lived with his mother in the Graz-Umgebung District and was not known to police prior to the attack. The police confirmed that he held legal ownership of the two firearms used in the shooting—a shotgun and a pistol—and had a valid weapons license. As the investigation progresses, heightened security measures have been implemented around schools in Graz to ensure the safety of students and staff.
