Austria is observing three days of national mourning as 10 people died after gunmen attacked a high school in a southern city in Glaz.
The incident in Austria’s second-largest city of about 300,000 was the most deadly mass shooting in the recent history of the alpine country.
Police are investigating why the gunman, identified as a former student at a school where authorities did not graduate, took the attack.
The perpetrator, identified by Austrian media as “Artur A,” had no previous criminal history. He reportedly took his life in the school bathroom after making the attack.
While searching for the assailant’s home, police found an explosive attack plan and a pipe bomb that was not working.
They also found digitally handwritten suicide notes addressed to the perpetrator’s parents.
“We cannot steal motivation from previous farewell letters,” Director of Public Security Franz Luff told public broadcaster ORF on Tuesday evening. Local media speculated that years of bullying could be a possible motive for the massacre.
By Wednesday morning, the officials running the hospital in Glaz said all patients were in stable condition.
Nine people were still in the intensive care unit, one needed further surgery with facial wounds and a second knee injury, but two others moved to the regular ward.
Local media reports that the 21-year-old lived with his mother. The neighbor told OE24, “He was completely introverted.”
The shooter owned two weapons
The suspicious gunman was in possession of two firearms seized by police after the attack.
He reportedly obtained both weapons legally and passed the psychological rating required in Austria to obtain the so-called “Category B” firearm possession card.
In Austria, weapons are traditionally carried for hunting rather than self-defense. Some weapons, such as rifles and shotguns, can be purchased from age 18 without permission.
Other weapons such as repeat shotguns and semi-automatic firearms are more difficult to acquire. Buyers will need a gun ownership card and a firearm pass.
The rare shootings that led to the pouring of sadness and shock in Austria could encourage domestic debate over whether weapons should be restricted.
Glaz mayor Elke Karl has already called for a complete ban on private weapons. The gun license is “too fast,” she said in the aftermath of the tragedy.
The case is examined and the gap is closed, Ruf said. The assailant was not allowed to carry the weapon outside his home, he added.
Local media speculated that schools are not prepared for attacks of this magnitude given the rare shootings of schools in Austria. Public Safety Director Franz Ruf said investigations will be launched to explore ways schools can better implement preventive and protective measures to avoid similar tragedy in the future.
Austrian Prime Minister Christian Stocker called the tragedy “unintelligible.”
“Schools have to remain a place of peace, a place where children can grow and learn,” he said.
The government added that many crisis intervention teams have been established to support victims and their families, including a hotline for those affected.
“Schools must be a safe place for everyone whose students can grow. Everyone who needs help after today’s crime should get help,” Education Minister Christophe Wiederkale said.
