VIDEO: School Attacker in Graz Announced Crime to His Family: Left Them a Video Recording
Austrian Artur A. (21) entered two classrooms in a school in Graz today with two weapons – a Glock pistol and a shotgun – and opened fire, shooting 40 rounds. A total of 11 people were killed in the shooting, including two teachers and the attacker himself, who committed suicide in the restroom after the crime.
While one teacher died at the scene, doctors at the hospital in Graz unsuccessfully tried to save the life of a female teacher. According to reports from the newspaper Heute, the woman was reportedly nearing retirement. Eleven other people were seriously injured.
The Attacker Was Not Known to the Police
The perpetrator, Artur A., had left the school two years ago. According to police, he had no criminal record and was considered inconspicuous. There was almost no trace of the young man on social media; in the police database, he appeared only once as a victim of pickpocketing. It is now known that he was allegedly subjected to severe bullying in the past – whether this triggered the crime is still unclear and under investigation. However, according to media reports, he reportedly saw himself as a victim of bullying.
Allegedly, the 21-year-old had possessed the Glock pistol for some time and had only recently acquired the second weapon – the shotgun. Immediately after the rampage, police began investigating the perpetrator. Rumors of a possible second perpetrator proved unfounded. On Tuesday afternoon, police confirmed that the suspect acted alone – reports Nova.
Pipe Bomb and Farewell Video Discovered
During the search of his home – the Austrian lived in the suburbs of Graz – a farewell note was found. There, he also recorded a video message for his mother. In it, he announced the crime and stated that he acted "of his own free will."
According to “Heute”, the attacker’s mother watched the video 24 minutes after he had left it, but by then it was already too late.
A major police operation involving 300 officers was already underway on Dreierschützengasse Street in Graz. Investigators told “Heute” that a bomb was also found in his home, but it was non-functional.
Citizens Pay Tribute to the Victims
Thousands of people gathered this evening in the main square in Graz to honor the victims.
Photos show people paying silent tribute as the city tries to come to terms with the tragic attack.
Statement from the School Where the Massacre Occurred
BORG Dreierschützengasse, the high school in the northwest of Graz where the shooting took place, posted a message on Instagram following the tragedy.
“This was a terrible day that deeply affected and shocked us all. Let’s continue to stand together as a school community and support each other. Your teachers and your principal,” the message said.
