2 days ago
Austria shooting LIVE: Girl, 15, named as first victim after ex-pupil, 21, killed 10 & sent mum ‘sick farewell vid'
A TEEN girl has been named as the first victim of the tragic mass shooting in Austria that left 11 people dead.
Lea Bajrami, 15 was killed at the BORG Dreierschützengasse high school in what marked the country's worst shooting rampage in modern history.
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Paying tributes to a young Lea, her aunt Muhabi posted a picture and wrote: "With a broken heart and great pain, we inform family, friends that our niece, Lea Ilir Bajrami tragically lost her life in the attack in Graz, Austria.
"We pray for her soul and express our gratitude to all those who share our pain in these difficult times."
Lea was one of the six girls to be killed alongside three boys and a woman.
Another 11 are seriously injured and in hospital receiving treatment.
A 21-year-old shooter, identified as Artur A., terrorised the high school in Graz before turning the gun on himself.
The attacker also recorded a video for his mother talking about his imminent crime and saying he was acting "of his own free will", reports Heute.
He even left a chilling suicide note at his residence in the wider Graz region.
Friends speaking to local media suggested the shooting could be an act of revenge, and that he might have been looking for someone to blame after failing to pass the sixth form.
In the suicide note, he reportedly revealed that he had felt "bullied".
Horrifying video from the scene yesterday showed pupils hiding in a classroom as gunshots rang out nearby.
Other clips showed students running for their lives as heavily armed cops made their way inside the BORG Dreierschützengasse high school.
A dad told local media that one of his sons lay down on the floor and pretended to be dead to escape gunfire.
The gunman was armed with two legally-owned weapons - a Glock pistol and a shotgun.
The lone shooter was found dead in a bathroom after turning a gun on himself, the Austrian interior minister confirmed.
He was not known to police, and a motive is yet to be officially confirmed.
Senior government officials - including Chancellor Christian Stocker - yesterday attended a memorial in Graz Cathedral to mourn the loss of lives.
The Austrian government has now declared a three-day mourning period.
10th Jun 2025, 13:29 By Sayan Bose
'This horror cannot be put into words' says Austrian president
Alexander Van der Bellen said Austria was mourning today and called the shooting a "horror" that "cannot be put into words".
He added: "What happened today in a school in Graz strikes at the heart of our country.
"These were young people who had their whole lives ahead of them.
"A teacher who accompanied them on their journey."
By Sayan Bose
Emergency services continue working at the scene
10th Jun 2025, 13:12 By Sayan Bose
Shooter was 'bullied' in school
Local media reports say the ex-pupil was a victim of bullying during his time at the school.
10th Jun 2025, 12:49 By Sayan Bose
Austria's population among the most heavily armed in Europe
Austria has one of the most heavily armed civilian populations in Europe, with an estimated 30 firearms per 100 persons, according to the Small Arms Survey, an independent research project.
Machine guns and pump action guns are banned, while revolvers, pistols and semi-automatic weapons are allowed only with official authorization.
Rifles and shotguns are permitted with a firearms license or a valid hunting licence, or for members of traditional shooting clubs.
10th Jun 2025, 12:47 By Sayan Bose
Graz school shooting 'unbearable', says Austria's minister
Austria's Minister for European and International Affairs Beate Meinl-Reisinger wrote on X: "It's incomprehensible and unbearable.
"My sympathy and grief go out to the victims and their families.
No one can imagine the suffering; as a mother of three children, it breaks my heart."
10th Jun 2025, 12:45 By Sayan Bose
Cops say area has been secured
A local police spokesman said the area had been secured, the school had been evacuated and relatives of the victims and pupils were being cared for.
"There is no further danger for the population, but there are several dead," he told Austrian television.
10th Jun 2025, 12:16 By Sayan Bose
Austrian chancellor calls Graz school shooting 'national tragedy'
Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker said a shooting at a school in the city of Graz was a "national tragedy" in a statement on Tuesday and offered his condolences to the families who have lost their children.
"The rampage at a school in Graz is a national tragedy that has deeply shaken our entire country," Stocker said.
"There are no words for the pain and grief that we all - all of Austria - are feeling right now," he added.
10th Jun 2025, 12:00 By Sayan Bose
In pictures: emergency services at the scene
10th Jun 2025, 11:39 By Sayan Bose
Death toll rises to 10
At least 10 people are now believed to be dead after the shooting rampage in the Austrian school.
Graz Mayor Elke Kahr confirmed the suspected shooter was among those killed.
Another 28 people have been severely injured, with four currently in extremely critical condition.
