Even as summer break began, students and community members flocked to designated mourning areas near the school, determined to honor the victims and seek solace in one another during these dark times. Paul Nitsche, a local pastor and religion teacher at the school, emphasized the importance of open communication, “What's really important now is to talk, to be silent together, to listen.”
Chancellor Christian Stocker reacted swiftly, cancelling appointments to visit Graz and announcing three days of national mourning, which began with a moment of silence at 10 a.m. Wednesday. The shooting has sent shockwaves throughout Austria, a nation known for its low levels of gun violence despite a higher rate of gun ownership. As the community continues to process this devastating event, conversations about mental health, safety, and preventative measures grow increasingly urgent.
Chancellor Christian Stocker reacted swiftly, cancelling appointments to visit Graz and announcing three days of national mourning, which began with a moment of silence at 10 a.m. Wednesday. The shooting has sent shockwaves throughout Austria, a nation known for its low levels of gun violence despite a higher rate of gun ownership. As the community continues to process this devastating event, conversations about mental health, safety, and preventative measures grow increasingly urgent.
