Murder of a teacher in Taufkirchen an der Pram: Perpetrator was deputy principal

What happened on Friday afternoon

According to the reports, the 29-year-old grabbed an approximately 18-centimeter-long dagger and a pistol in the library and killed the woman. He then took his own life. The exact background of the crime is still the subject of the investigation.

After the end of classes on Friday, the mother of the victim came to the school around 6 p.m., as she was worried about her daughter. When she entered the school building, she discovered her daughter dead. The 28-year-old had been in a relationship with another man for quite some time. Whether this circumstance is related to the crime remains unclear so far.

The school's principal expressed to the OÖN that he was stunned by the act. "Wir können uns das alles nicht erklären," the principal of the school stated to the Oberösterreichische Nachrichten. The head teacher described the 29-year-old as a popular and dedicated educator.

Reactions of the school management

"Er war ein sehr beliebter und guter Lehrer, er war sehr bedacht," the principal continued to the OÖN. At the same time, the head teacher reported that the perpetrator had recently given the impression of having come to terms with the situation. "Ich hatte sogar den Eindruck, dass er sich mit der Situation abgefunden hatte," the head teacher continued.

The 29-year-old was not only a teacher but also held the position of librarian at the middle school. The middle school in Taufkirchen an der Pram is located in the district of Schärding in the Innviertel. The crime triggered dismay in the region.

A room of remembrance was set up at the school for the affected teacher. "Einen Andachtsraum für die Lehrerin," reports the principal. A more sober room was prepared for the deceased colleague. "Und einen eher nüchternen Raum für den Lehrer," the principal further told the OÖN.

Investigations and background

The public prosecutor's office and the police are continuing to investigate the exact background of the crime. Among other things, the authorities are looking into how the perpetrator was able to obtain the dagger and the pistol. The motive for the crime also remains unclear.

The Education Directorate of Upper Austria expressed its dismay at the incident and announced support for students as well as for the teaching staff. A spokesperson referred to school psychological support services that are to be made available in the coming days.

Consequences for the school

Students at the middle school were informed about the incident on Monday. According to the authorities, the school remains open, and a crisis intervention team is available to both the relatives of the deceased and the students.

The case is classified as a femicide, as it involves the killing of a woman by a man. The Innviertel region is in shock. Taufkirchen an der Pram is a small municipality with around 2,000 inhabitants. The school location is of central importance to the town.