Mass Shootings

A candlelight vigil was held in Graz, Austria, to mourn the victims of a devastating school shooting at Dreierschützengasse secondary school, where 10 people—including the 21-year-old gunman—lost their lives. The attacker, a former student who had not completed his studies, took his own life in a school bathroom after the rampage. The tragedy, Austria’s deadliest gun violence in recent years, left at least 12 others seriously injured. Among the victims were seven females and three males, including a 17-year-old French student. Thousands gathered in the city square, lighting candles and standing in silent reflection, while officials declared three days of national mourning and scheduled a minute of silence. The gunman acted alone, using two legally owned weapons, and left a goodbye letter to his parents, but offered no explanation for his actions. The event has deeply shaken the community and the nation.

2012 marred by US mass shooting casualties

In a country that averages nearly 11 shooting deaths per day - more than 12,000 people were killed a year in gun-related homicides or accidents on average between 2008 and 2010, according to the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence