Austria is reeling from one of its worst mass shootings in recent history after a former student opened fire at BORG Dreierschützengasse high school in Graz, killing ten people, including nine teenagers and one teacher,  before taking his own life. The shooter, a 21-year-old man who had legally obtained a handgun and a shotgun, returned to the school he never graduated from and carried out the attack on Tuesday morning. He also left behind a farewell letter and video message, though authorities say they revealed little about his motive. An unexploded pipe bomb was found at his home, raising further concerns.

In the aftermath, the city and the nation have entered a period of collective mourning. Classes have been suspended for the week, and a minute of silence was observed across Austria, with public transportation briefly halted. Makeshift memorials now surround the school, where mourners have left flowers, candles, and stuffed animals. Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker traveled to Graz and declared three days of national mourning.

The incident has deeply shaken the country, where such violence is rare and typically seen in media coverage of school shootings in the United States. Many residents, including students and local officials, expressed disbelief that such a tragedy could unfold in their peaceful Alpine city. “It’s something you imagine happens in major cities or in the U.S.,” one local student said.

This tragic event places Austria among a growing number of countries confronting gun violence in educational settings,  a problem previously thought to be largely confined to specific regions. Recent school attacks in Russia, Brazil, and Serbia highlight a disturbing global trend: disaffected youth gaining access to firearms and targeting their communities. As nations grapple with root causes, from mental health to security lapses, the tragedy in Graz underscores the urgent, shared need for preventative strategies worldwide.