In a harrowing revelation, authorities have detailed the seven-minute rampage by a 21-year-old gunman at the BORG Dreierschützengasse school in Graz, which resulted in the deaths of ten individuals, including nine students and a teacher. The attacker, who had previously attended the school, entered the building armed with a Glock 19 and a sawed-off shotgun, initiating a calculated assault that has left the community in shock.
According to Michael Lohnegger, head of the Styrian State Criminal Police Office, the assailant, who had no prior criminal record, meticulously prepared for the attack, equipping himself in a third-floor restroom before embarking on his deadly spree. The timing of the attack, during school hours, ensured that between 350 to 400 students were present in the building, amplifying the potential for tragedy.
The gunman's methodical approach included shooting through a locked door to access a classroom, where he continued to fire indiscriminately. Investigators have uncovered a detailed plan during a search of the perpetrator's residence, suggesting a premeditated attack, though the motive remains unclear. The discovery of a farewell video and an explosive device further underscores the calculated nature of the assault.
As the community mourns, questions linger about the factors that led to such a devastating act. The investigation continues, with authorities examining the possibility of the gunman having accomplices, as evidenced by his use of a headset during the attack. This tragedy has reignited debates on school safety and gun control in Austria, as the nation grapples with the aftermath of one of its deadliest school shootings.