A somber hush fell over Austria Wednesday as the nation paused to remember the lives lost in what officials are calling the deadliest attack in the country's post-World War II history. The shooting at a high school in Graz left 10 people dead and thrust the typically peaceful European nation into a period of collective grief and soul-searching.

According to AP News, at precisely 10 a.m. - marking 24 hours since authorities were alerted to gunfire at BORG Dreierschützengasse high school - the entire country observed a minute of silence. Throughout Austria, public transportation halted, businesses paused operations, and citizens stood motionless in remembrance of those killed.

The shooting claimed the lives of nine students - six girls and three boys between ages 14 and 17 - and one teacher. Another 11 people were wounded in the attack, which ended when the 21-year-old gunman, a former student at the school, took his own life after the rampage.

Investigation reveals disturbing evidence

Investigators searching the assailant's home near Graz uncovered troubling items that hint at premeditation but provide few answers about motivation. Police discovered farewell messages in both digital and physical form, a non-functional pipe bomb, and abandoned bombing plans.

Franz Ruf, public security director at Austria's Interior Ministry, told reporters that while the shooter left messages saying goodbye to his parents, "no motive can be inferred from the farewell letter." This absence of clear motivation has left authorities searching for answers as the investigation continues into whether victims were randomly targeted or specifically chosen.

The 21-year-old attacker legally owned the weapons used in the shooting - a shotgun and a pistol. He lived with his mother near Graz and had not completed his studies at the school where he would later commit the deadly attack, further complicating his understanding of what drove him to such violence.

Community united in grief

Hundreds gathered in Graz's central square Wednesday, where a growing memorial of candles and flowers outside city hall has become a focal point for community mourning. The scene reflected the profound impact on Austria's second-largest city, with many embracing as they struggled to process the tragedy.

Chiara Komlenic, a 28-year-old art history student who previously attended the school, expressed her shock and sorrow while visiting the memorial. "I always felt very protected there. The teachers were also very supportive," she shared, her voice breaking with emotion. "I made lifelong friendships there. It just hurts to see that young girls and boys will never come back, that they experienced the worst day of their lives where I had the best time of my life."

The tight-knit nature of Graz - a city of approximately 300,000 people - has amplified the collective trauma. As 22-year-old university student Fabian Enzi observed while standing among mourners, "Graz is the second-largest city in Austria, but we still say that Graz is a village. Every time you are out, you meet people you know. There is a high chance that with such an attack you know people which are affected."

Victims recovering as nation reflects

Medical authorities reported Wednesday morning that all wounded survivors were in stable condition, though nine remained in intensive care. Two patients faced additional surgeries for facial and knee injuries, while two others had improved enough to be moved to regular hospital wards.

The wounded ranged in age from 15 to 26, with international victims including two Romanian nationals and one Iranian citizen. Police have confirmed that none of the survivors' injuries are life-threatening, offering a small measure of relief amid the overwhelming tragedy.

Austria has declared three days of national mourning in response to the shooting, with flags flying at half-staff nationwide. The mass memorial service held Tuesday evening at Graz cathedral saw hundreds joining Austrian officials to pray for victims and begin the difficult process of healing.