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Eleven individuals are dead and 12 more are seriously injured after a gunman opened fire in an Austrian school in Graz, police have said.
A federal special unit was deployed to the scene at a highschool in Dreierschützengasse after gunshots were heard around 10 am.
Police have said that of the injured, 4 were in extremely critical condition, with some having been shot in the top. Seven women and three men are confirmed to be victims – the eleventh victim is the shooter.
The suspect, a 21-year-old former student, legally owned the firearms. It’s reported he didn’t finish school.
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Queues of individuals waiting to offer blood
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Scores of Austrians in Graz are responding to the calls to offer blood.
The country’s Red Cross earlier issued an urgent appeal for people to donate blood as most of the injured are expected to undergo operations as a part of their treatment.
The Red Cross has opened a centre at a hotel in town, while football club Sturm Graz has also opened a donation point at its training centre.
One other victim of rampage dies in hospital
A girl has died of her injuries in hospital after being shot on this morning’s attack.
Graz’s University Hospital made the announcement this afternoon.
It raises the number of individuals killed within the shooting from 10 to 11.
‘Farewell letter from 21-year-old shooter found at his home’ – reports Austrian media
Investigators found a farewell letter at the house of the suspected gunman, Austrian newspaper Krone has reported.
Police reportedly raided his property this afternoon and located the note.
The suspect was a former student at the varsity and didn’t finish his education there.
Urgent call for blood donors to come back forward as hospitals treat victims
Austria’s Red Cross and issued an urgent appeal for people to donate blood.
They are saying emergency services need the blood ‘to ensure care in Austria’s hospitals’.
A lot of those injured within the shooting are expected to undergo operations as a part of their treatment.
Monika Stickler from the Austrian Red Cross told PULS24 that there are enough blood donations in principle right away for this.
But she added: ‘If we’d like blood donations to the extent that we probably will now, then we’re well prepared by replenishing our supplies right away.’
Fake videos of the shooting and police response are spreading online
Misinformation in regards to the school shooting is spreading on social media after the attack.
Individuals are posting videos of law enforcement officials responding to completely unrelated events, in keeping with Macel Kaztlinger, the social media editor of Austrian news site ORF.
That is making it difficult for people to get the correct information online, he adds.
Austrian police have also warned people to not share these videos in group chats and with friends, in case they’re unintentionally spreading ‘fake news’.
Students ‘pretended to be dead’ during shooting
The daddy of two students at the highschool in Graz shared with PULS24 that his son was in the category where the gunman opened fire.
As bullets whizzed past, the teenager lay down on the ground and played dead in a bid to survive, he said.
Police plea for pictures and videos of shooting to not be shared online
In the course of the press conference, authorities asked witnesses with photographs and video of the shooting to not share them online.
They’ve created a portal online for witnesses to upload information.
Watch: Austrian chancellor speaks
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The perpetrator was a 21-year-old from Graz – former student who hadn’t finished school
The shooter has been named as a 21-year-old man from Graz. Initial investigations have found he owned the guns.
He was a former student, but had reportedly not finished school.
The suspect has not yet been named.
The perpetrator was a 21-year-old from Graz
The shooter has been named as a 21-year-old man from Graz. Initial investigations have found he owned the guns.
The suspect has not yet been named.
Six women and three men confirmed as victims
Austrian authorities have confirmed that the victims of today’s shooting include six women and three male victims.
The tenth victim is the shooter, they added.
Country to enter three days of mourning
Austria is entering an official three days of mourning, with the flag to be flown at half mast, the Chancellor has said.
Officials haven’t immediately given information on the perpetrator.
Police said they consider the assailant acted alone.
‘That is unfathomable’, governor says
‘That such a secure space was hit by such a violent act leaves us speechless,’ Austrian Chancellor, Christian Stocker, told a press conference.
‘Today is about empathy. It’s about cohesion, that we’re there together for one another in a difficult hour.’
Mario Kunasek, governor of Styria, said: ‘Styria is mourning today, the green heart is crying. That is an unimaginable tragedy that happened this morning.
‘That is so unfathomable. The lives of so many have modified dramatically today.’
600 people need assistance after the shooting
Bettina Galli-Magerl, who heads up the regional Red Cross within the affected area, has said around 600 people needed care after the shooting.
These include victims, eyewitnesses, and relatives of the dead, she added.
Press conference to start shortly
Austrian authorities will begin a press conference shortly to update the general public on the present situation.
The gunman allegedly had two weapons with him
In accordance with reports, the gunman carried two weapons through the attack: a shotgun and a handgun.
The previous student is alleged to have recently acquired one in all the weapons.
Watch: Children flee school after gunshots heard
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‘ A national tragedy that deeply shocks our whole country’
Austrian chancellor Christian Stocker described the shooting as ‘a national tragedy that deeply shocks our whole country.’
He said in a press release on X: ‘The rampage at a college in Graz is a national tragedy that has deeply shaken our entire country
‘There are not any words for the pain and grief that all of us – all of Austria – are feeling right away.’
What are the gun laws in Austria?
Some firearms in Austria are easily available to buy, but others require permits.
Those over 18 should purchase shotguns and semi-automatic rifles for sports and hunting.
To get handguns and certain varieties of semi-automatic weapons, a license, referred to as Waffenbesitzkarte, is required.
It’s unknown what type of weapon was utilized in today’s shootings.
Death toll rises to 10, police say
The death toll on the shooting in Graz has risen to 10 people, police confirmed.
It comes as 28 others are severely injured, with 4 in what police have called ‘extremely critical’ condition.
Get in contact with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
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