Shooting Rampage in Graz: Review Phase Begins

Following the meeting of the Styrian State Security Council on Wednesday, the politicians presented initial approaches after the rampage on June 10 at a school in Graz. This includes raising awareness in the use of social media and offering support to parents and students. There are already many smart concepts, according to Governor Mario Kunasek (FPÖ). According to Education Director Elisabeth Meixner, a support program for the students is set to begin on Monday.

"It is the tip of the iceberg"

Kunasek stated after the meeting that they are now entering the phase of addressing the aftermath of the rampage. However, what is noticeable given the complex issues: "It is the tip of the iceberg," also in the area of social media. He himself thought he was well-informed in this area. After the experts' presentations, he now knows that they know nothing. Regarding social media, it is about accompanying parents as best as possible, pre-educating, and even educating them to keep an eye on the issue. "And: There are already many smart papers and concepts, but we need to better coordinate and pass on the insights and concepts to the stakeholders - parents, students, teachers, youth. That is the task in the coming months and years," said Kunasek. "We will never be able to prevent such unimaginable actions 100 percent. But we will do everything to prevent it as best as possible."

ÖVP Deputy Governor Manuela Khom emphasized that they have exchanged views with both experts and all state parliament parties. Like Kunasek, she saw social media as part of the problem: "Our children are sinking into social media. I am glad that the federal government has already decided on measures." Parents are often overwhelmed, and they need support to see what can actually be offered, said Khom.

Praise for helpers after Graz rampage

Education Councillor Stefan Hermann (FPÖ) praised the work of the helpers after the rampage. Many have achieved great things far beyond their work area, and the cooperation has extended far beyond state borders. Hermann reported figures from the Coordination Office for Violence and Radicalization Prevention. From March 2024 to March 2025, there were 210 contacts, resulting in 167 deployments of the crisis intervention team. Unfortunately, the number of suspended students is rising, with Styria having introduced support in this area. "This is a role model for all of Austria." In school social work, there is an investment of around 5 million euros, with an additional 0.9 million euros this year. "We will carefully examine every proposal that can serve to improve the situation. This ranges from an alarm button, access controls to cameras. I do not believe in turning a school into a high-security area, but students and parents trust the school as a place of safety. That was shattered in a brutal way on that Tuesday. Therefore, we need to make our offerings more visible on a kind of map," said Hermann.

How will things proceed at the affected school, BORG Dreierschützengasse? Last Wednesday, it was still unthinkable to return to school. A few days ago, around 200 students collectively moved from the List-Halle contact point to the nearby school. "There is no general recipe; each child must be individually enabled to find their way," said Hermann.

Majority Came to List-Halle

The Styrian Director of Education, Meixner, said that school events must definitely take place. There are different affected parties: parents who have lost their children, young people from all classes, and those who were just on a school sports week. The plan of the Directorate of Education is to reach all children before the end of the school year, also to see how they are doing. About 25 percent of the students have not yet been to the List-Halle contact point, Meixner said when asked. But there has been a lot of communication between students and class leaders. Moving to other schools, such as in Reininghaus, would have been possible, but they did not want to send the students off to vacation like that.

She, Meixner, thanked the List family once again for their support, providing the hall right around the corner from the school. On Monday, they could therefore start with the care, but there would be no classes. Teachers have put together a program in the musical-creative area, also a sports program, and readings. For this, several locations have been prepared, on the one hand mobile classes in cooperation with the Federal Real Estate Company, and furthermore a building behind the List-Halle. Additionally, a floor in the school has been cleared - "for the students who want to return to their building to find a place to process."

When asked what would happen to the rooms affected by the attack, Meixner said they had consulted with those affected in Erfurt, where there was a school shooting at the Gutenberg Gymnasium in April 2002. Additionally, there is an architect among the teachers at BORG. They want the students to participate in a concept on how to process this.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.