Pipe Bomb and Farewell Video Discovered After Graz Rampage

The state police department confirmed corresponding media reports upon APA inquiry early Wednesday. The bomb was found in the apartment of the alleged perpetrator, who committed suicide on Tuesday.

21-Year-Old Sent Farewell Video to Mother

In addition to the pipe bomb, a farewell video that the alleged perpetrator had sent to his mother was discovered, the police confirmed on Wednesday. An analog farewell letter was also found. Early Wednesday afternoon, the state police department reported that apparently discarded plans for a bomb attack were also found in the apartment.

The shotgun and pistol used were legally owned by the 21-year-old. "However, he should not have been allowed to carry them under any circumstances," said police spokesman Sabri Yorgun to APA. The weapons used in the crime are now being forensically examined. According to a report by the news magazine "Profil," the 21-year-old was active in a Graz sports shooting club and learned how to handle weapons there. This was confirmed by the head of the unnamed club to the magazine. A spokesman for the state police department neither confirmed nor denied this, stating that information could only be provided based on the current state of the investigation.

Copycats Used Shooting as Occasion for Threats

As the Director General for Public Security, Franz Ruf, said in an interview with the Ö1-Morning Journal on Wednesday morning, several copycats have since used the case as an occasion for further threats. "Several copycats," as Ruf explained, have been identified. The state police department of Styria did not want to speak of "copycats" upon APA inquiry, as there had been no further shooting, "but there are suspects who are now seizing on the fact that a shooting has taken place," Yorgun told APA.

Specifically, on Tuesday, among other things, an (as in recent weeks, unfinished) bomb threat was made against Graz's main train station, and on Wednesday, a threatening letter was also sent to another Graz school. "Of course, we have taken precautions," said Yorgun. The corresponding investigations against such copycats are naturally being conducted in parallel. The education directorate stated that there would be increased police presence at all Graz school locations until further notice. The federal police department strengthened contact with educational institutions and ordered increased patrolling of the facilities.

Red Cross Supports in Grief Work

The staff of the Red Cross crisis intervention team were also in demand on Wednesday. "In the coming days, around ten colleagues will be at the mourning sites daily and will be available to support the affected parents, teachers, and students," said spokesperson Stefan Loseries. Additionally, follow-up discussions are still ongoing, according to the Red Cross. On Tuesday alone, around 200 parents and relatives as well as 300 students were supported.

School Psychologists Also in Demand

The school psychological service of the Styrian Education Directorate, together with the KIT, is supporting the approximately 300 uninjured students, their parents, and the educational staff of BORG Dreierschützengasse. "We are supported by school psychologists from all over Austria, allowing us to rely on a team of 30 trained individuals," said its head, Josef Zollneritsch, in an interview with APA.

In any case, they will be on site at the nearby Helmut-List-Halle until Friday, and whether school operations can resume next Monday is "still under discussion." In addition to on-site support, school psychologists can and will be requested by other schools in Graz: "There is great concern. And there is especially great concern from parents about repeat incidents. It is important here that those affected can talk about their feelings and fears to prevent lasting trauma," said Zollneritsch. Individual and group discussions are offered in the schools.

For the crisis care of children, adolescents, and their parents, the Styrian hospitals KAGes have set up daily special consultations in the outpatient clinic for child and adolescent psychiatry (KJP) at LKH Graz II, South location. In cases of anxiety, sleep disorders, irritability, school-avoidant behavior, depression, grief reactions, feelings of numbness, inner emptiness, or other changes, affected, concerned, symptomatic adolescents and their parents can seek timely, low-threshold help and relief, KAGes announced. Adolescents, parents, and caregivers were advised to "make an appointment sooner rather than later."

(APA/Red)

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