School shooter left chilling message for mum about his cat before killing 10
Artur A, 21, asked for his mother's forgiveness for 'what I'm about to do' before he went on to kill 10 people in a school shooting in the Austria city of Graz
The Austrian school massacre gunman begged his mum to take care of his cat in a video message before he killed 10 people. Artur A, 21, was pictured for the first time yesterday – holding the pet – as it emerged he asked for his mother's forgiveness for 'what I'm about to do'.
By the time she saw the video, he had already carried out Tuesday's rampage at his former school in Graz. A non-functional pipe bomb and a note were uncovered by police at his home. Pals suggested the attack could be an act of revenge after he failed the sixth- form exam and quit school. In the 'farewell letter', he reportedly said he had felt bullied.
The killer was armed with a legally-owned Glock pistol and a shotgun when he stormed BORG Dreierschützengasse high school. He killed a female teacher, 59, and nine pupils aged 14 to 17 before taking his own life in a toilet, local media reported.
Lea Bajrami, 15, originally from Kosovo, was among the dead in the worst massacre in Austria's recent history. Her aunt Muhabi posted a picture of her and wrote: 'With a broken heart and great pain, we inform family, friends that our niece, Lea Ilir Bajrami tragically lost her life in the attack in Graz, Austria.
'We pray for her soul and express our gratitude to all those who share our pain in these difficult times.' Lea was one of six girls killed alongside three boys in the bloodbath in two classrooms in south-east Austria.
Hana Akmadzicis, 15, was the second victim to be named. Her uncle Ilhad said: 'She was my child, not just my niece. A flower of paradise. I can't believe she's gone.'
The gunman was not known to police, and a motive is yet to be confirmed. Shocking footage showed pupils fleeing the scene as heavily armed police entered the 400-pupil school and helped evacuate students from the building.
Officials said 28 people were injured, 12 of them seriously, with two said to be critical. One was reportedly shot in the head. A minute's silence was held yesterday at the start of three days of national mourning.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Glasgow Times
4 days ago
- Glasgow Times
Kneecap member arrive at court to face terrorism charge
Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, is accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah at a gig in November last year. The 27-year-old arrived at court on Wednesday with the other two members of the Belfast trio – Naoise O Caireallain and J J O Dochartaigh. Kneecap said London had been 'plastered' with messages of support before the hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, with a billboard displaying the words 'more blacks, more dogs, more Irish, Mo Chara' seen in the Lambeth area. (Image: Jonathan Browning/PA Wire) READ MORE: Kneecap dropped from TRNSMT lineup following 'Police Scotland concerns' Og O hAnnaidh is due to appear in court following an alleged incident during a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London. The charge Og O hAnnaidh faces alleges he displayed a flag in a public place, 'in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that he is a supporter of a proscribed organisation' – namely, Hezbollah. Kneecap described the prosecution as a 'witch hunt' in a post on X on Tuesday evening. A huge scrum of their hundreds of supporters greeted them as they slowly made their way to the entrance of the court building. (Image: Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire) READ MORE: Presale tickets for Kneecap's Glasgow gig sold out in '80 seconds' The band were wearing 'Free Mo Chara' T-shirts. Supporters gathered outside the court building from early in the morning, holding placards saying 'Free Mo Chara' and 'Defend Kneecap'. A mixture of Palestinian and Kneecap flags were being held by some of the crowd, and cheers were heard after an ad van drove past displaying the slogan 'More Blacks, More Dogs, More Irish, Mo Chara'. (Image: PA) Austrian Alexandra Kennedy, who had travelled from her home country to show support, said: 'I think that Kneecap are important to so many people that if Liam Og O hAnnaidh gets a heavy sentence, then maybe people will lose something, they need the connection to Kneecap.' Copywriter Victoria Ashworth travelled from her home in Brighton with her daughter Lily to attend the protest. Ms Ashworth, 53, said: 'I just feel like the charges are utterly ridiculous. I believe in freedom of speech.' Police removed a pro-Israel protester who walked into the crowd wearing an Israeli flag which prompted boos, swearing and shouts of 'free Palestine'. The crowd became animated and shouted 'Israel is a terrorist state' and 'take him out for his own safety' as he made gestures and argued with protesters. Police removing the protestor (Image: PA) READ MORE: Kneecap correct BBC headline after TRNSMT show cancelled Police surrounded the man as the crowd moved towards him, with protesters cheering as he was removed. The Metropolitan Police said the force had charged O hAnnaidh, who appears on the court list as Liam O'Hanna, after initially being made aware of a video from the gig at the O2 Forum which had been posted online. In a separate event shortly after the terrorism charge, O hAnnaidh could be seen in social media videos entering the stage with tape covering his mouth. The Met previously said Kneecap were under investigation after clips posted online appeared to show the band calling for the deaths of MPs and shouting 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah'. The rap trio said they have 'never supported' Hamas or Hezbollah, both of which are banned in the UK. READ MORE: TRNSMT: Kneecap removed from Glasgow TRNSMT lineup The group were removed from Glasgow's TRNSMT lineup after "concerns expressed by police." The Glasgow Times previously reported that the group posted a statement reading: "Due to concerns expressed by the Police about safety at the event, Kneecap will no longer perform at TRNSMT on Friday, July 11. "We thank fans for their understanding." Liam Og O Hannaidh arriving at court(Image: PA)In April, the Glasgow Times reported that First Minister John Swinney supported calls for Kneecap's removal from the TRNSMT lineup after a video clip from a 2023 performance showed a band member saying: "The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP." Mr Swinney said the comments "crossed a line" and were unacceptable. He added: "It would be unacceptable for me for the band to perform on such a stage given the fact that their comments are so beyond the pale. "I think TRNSMT have got to respond to that." O hAnnaidh was released on unconditional bail until his next hearing on August 20 when legal argument will be dealt with. Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring told him he must attend court on that day. He received a round of applause outside the courtroom after the short hearing.
Glasgow Times
4 days ago
- Glasgow Times
Kneecap greeted by hundreds at court as rap group member faces terrorism charge
Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, is accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah at a gig in November last year. The 27-year-old arrived at court on Wednesday with the other two members of the Belfast trio – Naoise O Caireallain, and J J O Dochartaigh. Kneecap's Naoise O Caireallain (Moglai Bap) arrives at Westminster Magistrates' Court (Jordan Pettitt/PA) Kneecap said London had been 'plastered' with messages of support before the hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, with a billboard displaying the words 'more blacks, more dogs, more Irish, Mo Chara' seen in the Lambeth area. O hAnnaidh is due to appear in court following an alleged incident during a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London. The charge O hAnnaidh faces alleges he displayed a flag in a public place, 'in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that he is a supporter of a proscribed organisation' – namely Hezbollah. People with placards in support of Kneecap's Liam Og O Hannaidh outside Westminster Magistrates' Court (Jordan Pettitt/PA) Kneecap described the prosecution as a 'witch hunt' in a post on X on Tuesday evening. A huge scrum of their hundreds of supports greeted them as they slowly made their way to the entrance of the court building. The band were wearing 'Free Mo Chara' T-shirts. Supporters gathered outside the court building from early in the morning, holding placards saying 'Free Mo Chara' and 'Defend Kneecap'. A mixture of Palestinian and Kneecap flags were being held by some of the crowd, and cheers were heard after an ad van drove past displaying the slogan 'More Blacks, More Dogs, More Irish, Mo Chara'. Austrian Alexandra Kennedy, who had travelled from her home country to show support, said: 'I think that Kneecap are important to so many people that if Liam Og O hAnnaidh gets a heavy sentence, then maybe people will lose something, they need the connection to Kneecap.' Copywriter Victoria Ashworth travelled from her home in Brighton with her daughter Lily to attend the protest. A guitarist performs among supporters of Kneecap's Liam Og O Hannaidh outside Westminster Magistrates' Court in London (Jordan Pettitt/PA) Ms Ashworth, 53, said: 'I just feel like the charges are utterly ridiculous. I believe in freedom of speech.' Police removed a pro-Israel protester who walked into the crowd wearing an Israeli flag which prompted boos, swearing and shouts of 'free Palestine'. The crowd became animated and shouted 'Israel is a terrorist state' and 'take him out for his own safety' as he made gestures and argued with protesters. Police surrounded the man as the crowd moved towards him, with protesters cheering as he was removed. Police officers removing a counter-protester (centre, wearing flag of Israel and black top) in the middle of the supporters of Kneecap's Liam Og O Hannaidh (Jordan Pettitt/PA) The Metropolitan Police said the force had charged O hAnnaidh, who appears on the court list as Liam O'Hanna, after initially being made aware of a video from the gig at the O2 Forum which had been posted online. In a separate event shortly after the terrorism charge, O hAnnaidh could be seen in social media videos entering the stage with tape covering his mouth. The Met previously said Kneecap were under investigation after clips posted online appeared to show the band calling for the deaths of MPs and shouting 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah'. The rap trio said they have 'never supported' Hamas or Hezbollah, both of which are banned in the UK.
Rhyl Journal
4 days ago
- Rhyl Journal
Kneecap greeted by hundreds at court as rap group member faces terrorism charge
Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, is accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah at a gig in November last year. The 27-year-old arrived at court on Wednesday with the other two members of the Belfast trio – Naoise O Caireallain, and J J O Dochartaigh. Kneecap said London had been 'plastered' with messages of support before the hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, with a billboard displaying the words 'more blacks, more dogs, more Irish, Mo Chara' seen in the Lambeth area. O hAnnaidh is due to appear in court following an alleged incident during a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London. The charge O hAnnaidh faces alleges he displayed a flag in a public place, 'in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that he is a supporter of a proscribed organisation' – namely Hezbollah. Kneecap described the prosecution as a 'witch hunt' in a post on X on Tuesday evening. A huge scrum of their hundreds of supports greeted them as they slowly made their way to the entrance of the court building. The band were wearing 'Free Mo Chara' T-shirts. Supporters gathered outside the court building from early in the morning, holding placards saying 'Free Mo Chara' and 'Defend Kneecap'. A mixture of Palestinian and Kneecap flags were being held by some of the crowd, and cheers were heard after an ad van drove past displaying the slogan 'More Blacks, More Dogs, More Irish, Mo Chara'. Austrian Alexandra Kennedy, who had travelled from her home country to show support, said: 'I think that Kneecap are important to so many people that if Liam Og O hAnnaidh gets a heavy sentence, then maybe people will lose something, they need the connection to Kneecap.' Copywriter Victoria Ashworth travelled from her home in Brighton with her daughter Lily to attend the protest. Ms Ashworth, 53, said: 'I just feel like the charges are utterly ridiculous. I believe in freedom of speech.' Police removed a pro-Israel protester who walked into the crowd wearing an Israeli flag which prompted boos, swearing and shouts of 'free Palestine'. The crowd became animated and shouted 'Israel is a terrorist state' and 'take him out for his own safety' as he made gestures and argued with protesters. Police surrounded the man as the crowd moved towards him, with protesters cheering as he was removed. The Metropolitan Police said the force had charged O hAnnaidh, who appears on the court list as Liam O'Hanna, after initially being made aware of a video from the gig at the O2 Forum which had been posted online. In a separate event shortly after the terrorism charge, O hAnnaidh could be seen in social media videos entering the stage with tape covering his mouth. The Met previously said Kneecap were under investigation after clips posted online appeared to show the band calling for the deaths of MPs and shouting 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah'. The rap trio said they have 'never supported' Hamas or Hezbollah, both of which are banned in the UK.
