Austrian Shooter Told Mom His Plan In Chilling Video But Delay Made Rescue Impossible
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A gunman sent his mother a farewell video message and left her a note before he opened fire at his former school in Austria, killing 10 people.
The 21-year-old dropout attacked BORG Dreierschützengasse high school in Graz on Tuesday morning.
Police say he used a shotgun and a pistol, which he legally owned, to kill 10 people, injure 11 others and take his own life.
The gunman killed 10 people after opening fire at a high school on Tuesday
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During a police search of the apartment he shared with his single mother, officers discovered a non-functional pipe bomb and discarded plans for an explosive attack.
According to Austrian news outlet Heute, the shooter, who has not been officially identified, apologized to his mother and brothers in a farewell video.
His mother immediately contacted the police when she watched the footage, but she didn’t view the message until 24 minutes after he sent it, and it was already too late.
Kronen Zeitung has identified the shooter as Arthur A, and reports he asked for forgiveness for “what I’m about to do now.”
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He also reportedly requested that his pet cat be taken care of.
“A written farewell note and a farewell video were also seized—so far, no conclusions have been drawn as to a possible motive,” police said.
Among those killed were six girls and four boys between 14 and 17 years old. One was a Polish citizen and the others were all Austrian citizens.
A female teacher died of her injuries in the hospital.
The 11 people injured were between 15 and 26 years old, including eight Austrian citizens, two Romanian citizens, and one Iranian citizen.
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They are all in stable condition, police say.
About 300 officers responded to the incident, including forces from the Rapid Intervention Group (SIG), the Street Crime Task Force (EGS), and the Cobra Task Force (EKO).
Within 17 minutes of the first reported gunshot, they had locked down the scene and made it secure.
In terrifying footage shared on social media amid the chaos, children can be heard screaming as loud gunshots ring out in the background.
Other clips show first responders attending to the injured on stretchers.
Austria will hold three days of national mourning
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Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen confirmed there would be three days of national mourning, beginning today (June 11).
Thousands of people attended vigils to pay their respects to the victims on Tuesday evening, and at 10 a.m. local time Wednesday, a moment of silence was held nationwide.
“This horror cannot be put into words. What happened today in a school in Graz hits our country right in the heart,” Van der Bellen said after the attack.
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“They were young people who had their whole lives ahead of them. A teacher who accompanied her on her journey.
“There is nothing that can ease the pain at this moment, which the parents, the grandparents, the siblings, the friends of the murdered feel. Austria is mourning. And in this hour we stand together.
“We stand together to face the pain. We stand together for all those to be there for those who are hurt. Today and in the difficult days to come, our country will show that in this togetherness our strength lies.”