Austrian authorities are currently investigating the reasons behind a school shooting on Wednesday, where a 21-year-old gunman shot dead 10 people at his former high school before taking his own life. The incident marks one of the worst outbreaks of violence in the nation’s recent history.

According to police reports, the shooter, armed with both a shotgun and a pistol, acted alone. His residence and online activity are being examined for any indications as to why he initiated the attack at the school in Austria’s second-largest city, Graz, on Tuesday. He then died by suicide in a bathroom.

Paul Nitsche, a religious studies teacher at the school, recounted the event. He had left his classroom just before the gunman attempted to enter and witnessed him trying to shoot the lock off a different door. He stated that the event was difficult to comprehend.

He told national broadcaster ORF, “This is something I couldn’t even imagine before, that’s what the situation was like as I ran down the stairwell, I thought to myself: ‘This wasn’t real.'”

While some Austrian media outlets have reported that the young man, whose identity remains undisclosed, may have been subjected to bullying, police have not yet verified these claims. Austrian authorities have confirmed that the suspect did not complete his education at the school.

Police reported that he left behind a farewell note, wich did not specify the reason for the attack.Additionally, a pipe bomb discovered at his home was found to be non-functional.

Examination Underway

Franz Ruf, director general of public security, stated that the investigation into the motive is progressing rapidly.

He told ORF on Tuesday night,”We don’t want to speculate at this point.”

“We don’t want to speculate at this point.”

According to Ruf, approximately 17 minutes passed between the initial emergency calls reporting the shooting at the school and the declaration that the scene was secure.

Details regarding the attack are gradually emerging.

Austrian police have indicated that victims were located both inside and outside the school, across multiple floors. Approximately a dozen individuals sustained injuries during the attack, some of which were severe.

National Mourning Declared

Following the shootings, Austria has declared three days of national mourning, which has fostered a rare sense of unity among political parties that are often deeply divided. Parents of students and local residents are struggling to comprehend the tragedy.

On Tuesday evening, numerous individuals gathered in Graz’s main square to pay tribute to the victims. Others placed flowers and lit candles outside the school, and many lined up to donate blood for the injured.