Ex-student kills self, 10 others in Austrian school

The killer of 10 students at a secondary school in Austrian city Graz has been identified as a former pupil of the school.

Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said six of those killed at the school were female and three were male. Graz hospital later confirmed the death of a 10th person.

Karner said another dozen people had been injured but gave no further details about the victims. Austrian media said most were students.

Police said they believed the 21-year-old Austrian shooter, who was found dead in a bathroom, had been operating alone when he entered the school with two guns and opened fire.

His motive remained unclear.

Many killed in Austrian school shooting

Chancellor Christian Stocker called the shooting a “dark day in the history of our country”.

“There are no words for the pain and grief that we all – all of Austria – are feeling right now,” Reuters quoted Stocker as saying.

Stocker travelled to Graz where, at a press conference alongside officials including Karner, he announced three days of national mourning. A minute’s silence was set for 10 a.m. (0800 GMT) on Wednesday.

Police had found a farewell note from the shooter at his home. The police were not immediately available to comment on the note.

The Star