Possible Relationship-Motivated Crime

Shooting Alert: Seriously Injured at Bavarian School

In Bavaria, a suspected shooting spree triggered a large-scale police operation.(Bild: AFP/OLIVIER FENIET)

A suspected shooting spree triggered a large-scale police operation in Schongau, Bavaria. Several people have been seriously injured, including at least two girls who suffered stab wounds. A 16-year-old suspect has been arrested. It is unclear whether he is a student.

More than 15 patrol cars were dispatched to the Welfen-Gymnasium in Schongau, southwest of Munich, said a police spokeswoman. The alarm was reportedly received at 12:50 p.m. According to ADAC Air Rescue, a total of six helicopters are on the scene. One of the helicopters was deployed to treat the injured. Although the victims were seriously injured, their lives are not in danger. No details are available regarding the condition of any other possible injured individuals.

“Possible Relationship-Motivated Crime”
During the operation, there was also talk of a possible relationship-related crime as the motive. “We are investigating all possibilities,” said a police spokesperson. The circumstances remain completely unclear. According to the police, many students witnessed the incident firsthand. They—along with teachers and, later, emergency responders—are receiving psychological support.

Incident on School Grounds
The incident is said to have taken place partly on the school grounds and partly in the immediate vicinity of the high school. The suspected perpetrator initially attempted to flee but was arrested shortly afterward, as reported by the “Bild” newspaper.

Support Center Set Up for Families
Officers urged people to avoid the area. Shortly after the incident, a support center for family members of students was set up at the local fire station, as the police reported on X.

“Suspect Was Armed with a Knife and a Firearm”
German Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann (CSU) said, “I am horrified by this terrible rampage.” However, he was relieved that, based on current information, there were no fatalities, as reported by Bayerischer Rundfunk. Every room in the high school is currently being carefully searched. The politician also refuted rumors that there might be two perpetrators. “We are assuming there was one perpetrator who was armed with a knife and a firearm,” Herrmann reported. According to dpa, no firearm was found initially, but ammunition was discovered.

Perpetrator Had Received Psychiatric Treatment
As Herrmann stated, the 16-year-old had received psychiatric treatment in the past. Herrmann also said there were indications that the perpetrator was a former student. It is now considered certain that the teenager is Croatian and had most recently been living with his parents.

A suspected violent crime triggered a large-scale police operation on Wednesday.(Bild: AP/APA/Christoph Peters)

Schongau is a small town located just two hours from Innsbruck.(Bild: AP/APA/dpa/Karl-Josef Hildenbrand)

There Was Already a Threat of a Shooting Spree at the High School in 2025
Apparently, there was already a threat of a shooting rampage at Welfen High School at the end of last year. In mid-December, some of the approximately 800 students received messages from a classmate via their school iPads containing pornographic and violence-glorifying content. After they told a teacher about it, they were threatened with death, and a shooting spree was also announced, as reported by “Merkur.” After investigating the threat, the principal determined there was no longer any danger to the students. “Our crisis plan worked,” he said.

Town Not Far from Innsbruck
Schongau is a small town on the banks of the Lech River in western Upper Bavaria with more than 12,000 residents. The town is just under two hours from Innsbruck.