Updates

Austria School Shooting: Graz Tragedy Leaves Nation in Mourning

Austria is reeling after a devastating school shooting in Graz on Tuesday morning, marking the deadliest mass shooting in the country’s recent history. A 21-year-old Austrian man, a former student who had not completed his education, entered the Dreierschützengasse secondary school and opened fire, killing nine people before taking his own life. Twelve others were injured, with one later dying in hospital, bringing the death toll to ten[1][2].

The victims included eight students and one teacher, with ages ranging from 14 to 59. Most of the deceased were Austrian nationals, with some of Bosnian, Polish, and Kosovo Albanian descent. The shooter, who acted alone and legally owned the firearms used, left a “farewell letter” at his residence, but authorities have not yet confirmed his motive. As of Wednesday, the remaining injured are reported to be in stable condition[1][2].

Police responded swiftly, securing the school within 17 minutes with over 300 officers, including a specialized tactical unit. The nation has declared three days of mourning as investigators continue to search for answers behind the attack[1][2].

How to Protect Yourself and Others in a Mass Shooting

In light of recent events, experts emphasize the importance of preparedness and situational awareness during an active shooter incident. The recommended steps are:

- Run: If there is a safe escape route, evacuate immediately. Leave belongings behind, keep your hands visible, and help others if possible. Do not attempt to move the wounded[4][5].

- Hide: If escape is not possible, find a secure hiding place out of the shooter’s view. Lock and barricade doors, turn off lights, silence phones, and remain quiet. Hide behind solid objects and call emergency services when safe[4][5].

- Fight: As a last resort, if your life is in imminent danger, attempt to incapacitate the shooter by acting aggressively, using improvised weapons, and committing fully to your actions[4][5].  

If you take a weapon away from a shooter, move the weapon out of reach such as under a trash can. Do not hold the weapon or keep it on your person, as law enforcement may mistake you for the shooter. 

When law enforcement arrives, keep your hands raised and comply with instructions.

Additional tips include knowing your exits, identifying potential cover, and moving purposefully rather than freezing. If moving as a group, assign roles and maintain situational awareness. When law enforcement arrives, follow their instructions carefully[4][5].

Nationwide Protests Erupt Over Immigration Raids and Military Deployment

Across the United States, protests have intensified following a series of aggressive deportation raids in Los Angeles. These largely peaceful protests were used as an excuse for Donald Trump’s decision to deploy National Guard troops to California, a move that has rapidly escalated unrest and led to demonstrations in major cities including Chicago and Seattle[3].

The spark for the protests was the sight of heavily armed federal agents conducting pre-dawn raids in predominantly immigrant neighborhoods, detaining dozens of individuals. In Chicago, demonstrators gathered outside immigration courts, chanting “No more deportations!” and demanding an end to the sweeps and military intervention. Tensions rose further when a vehicle sped through a crowd of protesters, though it is unclear whether there were injuries[3].

In Seattle, activists blocked entrances to a federal building in an attempt to disrupt the transport of detained immigrants. The protests are expected to grow, with a large “No Kings” demonstration planned to coincide with a military parade in Washington, D.C. this Saturday[3].

The protests are directly tied to the recent escalation in immigration enforcement, which many see as targeting vulnerable communities and violating civil rights. The deployment of the National Guard has been widely criticized as an excessive use of force, with activists and legal organizations arguing it infringes upon the right to peaceful assembly and protest[3].

Civil liberties groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and several immigrant rights organizations, have filed emergency lawsuits seeking injunctions to prevent armed forces from intervening in or dispersing lawful protests. The suits argue that the military’s involvement violates constitutional protections of free speech and assembly. As of today, federal courts are reviewing the legal challenges, and a temporary restraining order has been issued in some jurisdictions to limit military engagement with protesters pending further hearings. The status of these legal actions remains fluid, with further updates expected as courts weigh the evidence[3].

Austria’s tragedy and the escalating protests in the United States underscore the urgent need for dialogue on violence, civil rights, and public safety. As investigations and legal battles continue, communities are urged to remain vigilant and prioritize safety in public spaces.

[1] https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2d5w9rxr5eo

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Graz_school_shooting

[3] https://www.euronews.com/video/2025/06/11/demonstrations-over-deportation-raids-grow-across-us-cities

[4] https://police.wayne.edu/pdf/seal-steps-to-surviving-an-active-shooter-cade-courtley.pdf

[5] https://uvaemergency.virginia.edu/tips-surviving-active-shooter-attack

[6] https://www.rand.org/pubs/articles/2022/how-to-prevent-prepare-for-and-respond-to-mass-attacks.html

[7] https://www.euronews.com/2025/06/11/what-we-know-about-the-gunman-who-killed-10-in-austria-school-shooting

[8] https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/photos-protests-against-immigration-raids-spread-across-the-u-s

[9] https://www.ready.gov/public-spaces

[10] https://apnews.com/article/austria-school-shooting-graz-borg-guns-attacks-e2e4561f79a7029783b53eb118ae434d

[11] https://www.osvnews.com/mexican-bishops-express-solidarity-with-migrants-amid-protests-in-us-cities/

[12] https://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/active_shooter_booklet.pdf

[13] https://news.sky.com/story/farewell-letter-from-gunman-discovered-as-austria-mourns-school-shooting-victims-13382136

[14] https://link.ucop.edu/2022/08/08/run-hide-fight-protect-yourself-from-active-shooters/

[15] https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/austrian-police-search-answers-after-mass-shooting-school-2025-06-11/

[16] https://www.smcm.edu/publicsafety/run-hide-fight-active-shooter-protocol/

[17] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/11/austrian-police-find-bomb-plans-at-shooting-suspects-home-as-nation-mourns

[18] https://www.nso.com/Learning/Artifacts/Articles/active-shooter

[19] https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/11/europe/police-seek-answers-austria-school-shooting-graz-intl

[20] https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/austrian-neighbours-school-shooter-recall-withdrawn-young-man-2025-06-11/

[21] https://news.sky.com/story/dark-day-in-austria-as-10-people-are-killed-in-school-shooting-13381921

[22] https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/11/podcasts/the-headlines/iimmigration-protests-austria-school-shooting.html

[23] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_AOrqFHYbA

[24] https://apnews.com/live/immigration-protests-los-angeles-6-11-2025

[25] https://emergencymanagement.utexas.edu/safety/active-shooter-response-guide

[26] https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/five-things-about-protecting-against-mass-attacks

[27] https://www.arabnews.com/node/2589031/world

[28] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/July_Revolt_of_1927

[29] https://monitor.civicus.org/explore/increased-police-powers-crackdown-protests-attempts-limit-media-freedom/

[30] https://www.euronews.com/2023/07/29/far-right-activists-rally-in-austria-calling-for-end-to-the-great-replacement