Authorities reported that a former student opened fire at a school in Austria's second-largest city on Tuesday, killing ten people and injuring twelve others before he took his own life.

The reason for the 21-year-old man's actions, who had no criminal record, was not immediately known. Police stated he used two weapons, which they believed he owned legally.

Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker told reporters in Graz, a city of about 300,000 people in southeastern Austria, that today was a sad day for their country's history.

He described it as "a deep national tragedy" and announced three days of national mourning. During this period, the Austrian flag would be lowered to half-mast at all government buildings. A national minute of silence was also planned for Wednesday morning to remember those who died.

Special forces were sent to BORG Dreierschützengasse high school, about a kilometer from Graz's historic center, after calls at 10 a.m. reported shots. Over 300 police officers also went to the school, which was then evacuated. Videos from the scene showed students quickly leaving the building, walking past armed officers.

Law enforcement officials affirmed that order had been re-established within 17 minutes.

Police have identified the lone assailant as a 21-year-old Austrian national residing near Graz, though his name has not yet been released.

Regional Police Chief Gerald Ortner stated that two firearms, a rifle and a handgun, were used in the shooting and found at the scene. It appears the attacker legally owned these weapons before he took his own life in a restroom.

Interior Minister Gerhard Karner stated that the assailant had been a former student at the school, having discontinued his studies at an unspecified time and age.

Karner stated on Tuesday afternoon that six of the people who died were women and three were men, but he did not provide more information. He also confirmed that twelve people were injured. Later, the state hospital in Graz informed the Austria Press Agency that a tenth victim, an adult woman, had also died from her injuries.

The Austrian Red Cross stated that they sent 65 ambulances and 158 paramedics to the location to help the injured. Additionally, 40 specially trained psychologists offered support to students and parents. The Red Cross also asked local people to donate blood.

Metin Özden, who owns a kebab shop near the school, first realized something was happening when he heard police cars speeding by, followed by a police helicopter overhead. He told the Krone newspaper, "I immediately felt that something serious had occurred. I have never seen so many emergency services in my entire life." He also described seeing upset parents, crying as they walked past his restaurant on their way to the school.

Tuesday's violence appeared to be the deadliest attack in Austria's history since World War II.

In 2020, a shooting in Vienna resulted in the deaths of four people. The attacker, who was thought to be a supporter of the Islamic State group, also died. More than 20 other individuals, including a police officer, were injured.

In June 2015, an individual deliberately drove an SUV into a throng of people in downtown Graz, resulting in the fatalities of three and injuries to over thirty others.

Despite Austria's deeply rooted hunting heritage, its firearms legislation remains comparatively permissive within the European Union.

In Austria, people aged 18 and older can buy some firearms that are reloaded by hand, like rifles and shotguns, without needing a special permit. Gun dealers only have to check that the buyer is not banned from owning weapons and that the weapon is recorded in the main weapons register.

Obtaining other weapons, like repeating shotguns or semi-automatic firearms, is much harder; buyers must possess a gun ownership permit and a firearms authorization.