The attack

A 16-year-old male approached the gymnasium in Schongau, western Upper Bavaria, carrying a firearm and knives on 8 July 2026. He fired one shot, which struck no one, before the weapon malfunctioned. He then used the knives to attack two female students, leaving both seriously injured.

“The perpetrator approached the high school with a firearm, fired one shot that injured no one. Then the firearm malfunctioned, so no further shots could be fired.”

Weapon malfunction

Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) confirmed the gun jammed after the single shot. Police initially did not recover the firearm but found ammunition at the scene. The malfunction likely prevented further gunfire.

Victims and response

Two girls were seriously wounded. Teachers and police officers intervened and subdued the suspect shortly after the knife attack. No other injuries were reported.

Suspect background

The suspect is a Croatian national and a former student of the school, living with his parents. Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann (CSU) stated the teenager had previously undergone psychiatric treatment.

“The perpetrator had been in psychiatric treatment in the past.”

Investigation

Authorities are treating the incident as a suspected amok attack. The suspect is in investigative custody. Herrmann said there is no immediate evidence of a prior relationship between the attacker and the victims, but investigators are examining whether the victims were targeted or chosen at random. Dobrindt described the act as stemming from a psychological crisis.