Graz: A non-functional pipe bomb was discovered during a house search at the residence of the 22-year-old individual responsible for a deadly shooting at his former school in the Austrian city of Graz, as announced by the police. The discovery was made shortly after the assailant fatally shot himself following the incident.
According to Anadolu Agency, the Styrian State Police Directorate reported that the improvised explosive device was located on Tuesday. In addition, authorities recovered a farewell video the suspect had sent to his mother, along with a suicide note. Police spokesperson Sabri Yorgun stated that the suspect had legally obtained both the shotgun and the pistol used in the attack but emphasized that he should not have been in possession of them under any circumstances.
While there have been suggestions from some media outlets that the perpetrator may have been a victim of bullying, the police have not confirmed this, leaving details about his experiences at the school unclear. Separately, Austrian authorities have reported a series of threats apparently inspired by the attack. Franz Ruf, director general for public security, informed public broadcaster O1 that several individuals had made threats in the wake of the shooting.
The Styrian police confirmed that investigations are ongoing but refrained from labeling the suspects as copycats. "There has been no further shooting spree, but there are suspects who are now seizing on the fact that such an incident occurred," stated Yorgun.
The school shooting on Tuesday resulted in the deaths of nine students aged 14-17, including six girls and three boys. All but one student, a Polish national, were Austrian. A teacher who was hospitalized with serious injuries also succumbed to their injuries. Eleven other individuals, aged 15-26, were injured, including eight Austrians, two Romanians, and one Iranian, with all reported to be out of danger now.
In response to the tragedy, three days of national mourning have been declared, commencing on Wednesday morning.