Emma Leitner, Jakob Weiss, Sophie Gruber, Lukas Thalberg, Nina Hartwig, the Gentle Mentor, the Bright-Eyed Freshman’s Literature Teacher, and the Dedicated School Counselor Among Those Whose Lives Were Lost in the Heartbreaking Graz School Attack That Has Rocked Austria
GRAZ, AUSTRIA — A tranquil morning at BORG Dreierschützengasse High School turned into a scene of unimaginable horror on Tuesday, June 10, when a young gunman entered the school premises and opened fire in two classrooms, taking the lives of eight individuals and injuring several others. This catastrophic act of violence, described as one of the darkest days in Austria’s recent history, occurred just before 10:00 a.m. in Graz, Austria’s second-largest city, and has since thrown the nation into a state of mourning and urgent reflection.
Among the victims whose lives were cut short are five students and three adult members of the school community—each of them remembered by friends, families, and educators not just for who they were in life, but for the dreams, dedication, and warmth they carried with them each day.
Victims Identified:
Seventeen-year-old Emma Leitner was a gifted violinist and student council organizer, beloved for her quiet strength and commitment to inclusivity. Her teachers described her as a “gentle leader,” while her peers often looked to her as someone who never failed to listen with care.
Jakob Weiss, 16, was a bright young man known for his sharp sense of humor, love of robotics, and an insatiable curiosity about computers. He had just completed a software coding competition and was being considered for a regional tech mentorship program.
Sophie Gruber, 18, stood at the cusp of a promising journalism career. Already published in the student magazine, Sophie had secured a spot in a local newspaper’s summer internship program. Her classmates recall how she always had a notebook in hand, eager to report on school events and share stories that mattered.
Seventeen-year-old Lukas Thalberg was a soft-spoken humanitarian with a deep commitment to social justice. He volunteered with organizations supporting refugees and underprivileged youth and had plans to study international relations.
Nina Hartwig, just 15 years old, had already made an impression as a first-year student with a flair for watercolor painting and creative writing. Teachers called her “radiant and imaginative,” and her friends described her as “the heart of every room.”
The three adult victims, all deeply involved in the life of the school, include a Gentle Mentor, a veteran mathematics teacher with over 20 years of experience; the Dedicated School Counselor, a cornerstone of the school’s emotional support services; and the Bright-Eyed Freshman’s Literature Teacher, a recently hired faculty member who had already inspired a deep love for reading among her students.
Timeline of the Tragedy:
At approximately 9:58 a.m., while most classes were in session and students were preparing for final exams, the assailant entered the school building armed with what authorities have now identified as a semi-automatic handgun. According to police reports and eyewitness testimonies, he proceeded to two classrooms on the second floor, where he began shooting indiscriminately. The building erupted into chaos.
“I heard five or six loud bangs, then screaming,” said a 17-year-old student who managed to hide in a storage closet. “I thought it was construction at first. Then I saw blood on the hallway floor.”
Within moments, the school’s emergency alert system was activated. Teachers attempted to lock doors, barricade entrances, and protect their students. Many sent text messages to parents, others called police, and some, like the Gentle Mentor, reportedly tried to de-escalate the situation before succumbing to fatal injuries.
Emergency Response and Capture of the Shooter:
Law enforcement arrived within minutes of receiving the first emergency calls. Heavily armed tactical units entered the building, conducting a room-to-room evacuation while paramedics treated the wounded and attempted to resuscitate victims.
The gunman, believed to be a former student in his late teens, was apprehended by police shortly after the shooting ended. Authorities confirmed that he surrendered without resistance but provided no immediate motive. Early investigations suggest a level of premeditation, with digital evidence pointing to online searches and messages indicating planning.
Interior Minister Gerhard Karner emphasized the complexity of the investigation, noting that while the weapon used was unregistered and likely obtained through illegal means, the attacker had no prior criminal record. “This was not a random act. We are working tirelessly to understand how and why this tragedy occurred,” he said.
Nation in Mourning:
The Austrian government responded swiftly, with Chancellor Karl Nehammer declaring a national state of mourning. Flags were lowered to half-mast across all public buildings, and a moment of silence has been scheduled for Thursday morning at 10:00 a.m., precisely 48 hours after the attack began.
In a televised address, Chancellor Nehammer expressed the collective sorrow of the nation:
“This was not just an attack on a school, but on the very fabric of our society. We have lost eight beautiful lives—each one a beacon of hope, learning, or compassion. We grieve as one nation and promise that their memories will not fade.”
Community Response:
Across Graz and beyond, communities are gathering in grief and remembrance. Candlelight vigils have been held in the city center, with flowers, portraits, and messages laid at the school gates. Churches have opened their doors to those seeking solace, and mental health professionals have been dispatched to schools across the region to provide trauma counseling.
At a memorial service held Wednesday evening, friends of Sophie Gruber read excerpts from her writing, while Jakob Weiss’s robotics team lit a digital display in his honor. A piece composed by Emma Leitner was played by her classmates in a tearful tribute to the young violinist.
Conversations Around Security and Prevention:
This tragedy has sparked renewed debate about school safety and gun control in Austria. Although the country is known for having strict firearm laws, this incident has raised questions about loopholes in private gun transactions, as well as the psychological health support available to young people.
Maria Lanschütz, head of Austria’s National Education Safety Council, noted the urgent need for reinforced mental health services in schools. “It’s not just about physical security,” she said. “It’s about early identification of distress and proper intervention before desperation turns into destruction.”
Healing Amid Heartbreak:
As the investigation continues, focus has turned to healing. Teachers have begun returning to classrooms to meet with students in small groups. Classes have been suspended at BORG Dreierschützengasse for the remainder of the week, and officials are considering staggered returns to ensure the emotional readiness of students and staff.
In memory of the victims, a scholarship fund is being established in their names. The initiative, led by parents and educators, aims to support students pursuing studies in journalism, music, computer science, education, and humanitarian service—reflecting the passions of those lost.
Though the community of Graz is grappling with unbearable sorrow, stories of heroism have also emerged: a teacher who shielded children with her body; a janitor who led a group to safety through a maintenance exit; a classmate who stayed behind to assist a wounded friend. These acts serve as reminders that even in the darkest hour, the human spirit endures.
Conclusion:
As the nation reflects on this act of cruelty and its terrible cost, it is the lives of Emma Leitner, Jakob Weiss, Sophie Gruber, Lukas Thalberg, Nina Hartwig, and their three heroic adult counterparts—the Gentle Mentor, the Dedicated School Counselor, and the Bright-Eyed Freshman’s Literature Teacher—that will be remembered.
They were not just students and educators. They were artists, dreamers, mentors, and builders of a better future. Their presence illuminated hallways, their voices filled classrooms, and their absence now echoes in a community left forever changed.
They are not just names. They are stories, they are love, they are loss—and their legacy demands not only remembrance but action.
