Vienna, Austria — At least eight people were killed Tuesday in a school shooting in the Austrian city of Graz, the country’s national press agency said, citing its mayor, who said the perpetrator was also dead. Police in Graz deployed in force to the school late Tuesday morning after receiving a call about a situation there, initially confirming only that shots had been heard.
Graz Mayor Elke Kahr described the events as a “terrible tragedy,” according to the Austria Press Agency. It was not immediately clear how the shooter had died.
Earlier, the Interior Ministry, in a statement, and a police spokesman who spoke with CBS News’ Anna Noryskiewicz on the phone, confirmed multiple fatalities, without providing a firm figure.
Police said in a message posted on social media that the situation was under control and there was not deemed to be any further threat to the public.
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Police spokesperson Sabri Yorgun said earlier that special forces were among those sent to the high school after a call at 10 a.m. (4 a.m. Eastern), and that authorities were working to get an overview of what had happened.
An emergency alarm was triggered at the school, which was evacuated and then thoroughly searched by security forces, according to Austrian media.
Graz, Austria’s second-biggest city, is located in the southeast of the country and has about 300,000 inhabitants.
This breaking news story will be updated.
