The gunman who murdered 10 peoplein the worst school shooting in Austriayesterday has been pictured holding a cat in the first image of the 21-year-old shooter to be released. Arthur A reportedly begged for his mother's forgiveness in a farewell video message before storming the BORG Dreierschützengasse high school in Austria's second largest city wielding a rifle and pistol andmurdering 10 of his classmates and teachers.

In a cubicle of the school toilets he used one of the firearms to take his own life, bringing an end to the carnage. The "bullied" drop out sent the video to his mum just moments before he opened fire, and had begged for her to forgive him for "what I'm about to do".

Arthur A., a 21-year-old from a suburb of Graz, is said to be the gunman who killed 10

Had his mother opened the message when she received it, she may have been able to alert police in time. However, she watched it 24 minutes later.

By that time, Arthur had already left a trail of bodies after shooting nine children aged between 15 and 17, and an adult female teacher, who was 47 years old. He left another 11 people with serious injuries, though authorities have confirmed they are now in stable condition in hospital.

Lea Bajrami was the first victim identified and pictured (

Image:

People who knew Arthur said it was likely an act of vengeance. The 21-year-old had failed to pass sixth form exams and dropped out of school. His suicide note, which was found at his home in the same city, described him having been "bullied".

Graz's main square was lit with a sea of candles last night. Thousands of young people held a silent vigil in front of Archbishop Johann fountain in the heart of the old town, in front of the city hall.

Police seen in the streets close to the school (

Image:

"When you hear about it, you have so much sympathy for the people, maybe you could have known someone," said Felix Platzer, a passerby at the vigil. "This is an example of solidarity and you grieve together and together it is easier to cope."

Graz Cathedral held a service of reflection. In a nearby parish church, prayers were said for victims including one called Leo. 'We are lighting a light for Leo,' said Father Pesendorfer, who was in tears. Flags on the Hofburg Palace in Vienna, where the president has his office, will fly at half mast this morning.

A locator map showing the city of Graz in Austria (

Image:

Meanwhile, long queues formed outside a blood donation centre in Graz as 28 injured were being treated in hospital; 12 were said to be in a serious condition, with two critical. An adult victim died while being treated in a local clinic last night.

Austria has one of the highest rates of gun ownership in Europe, with roughly 370,000 Austrians legally owning 1.5million registered firearms, according to the interior ministry.

Wild hunting is popular in the country and more than half of Austria's registered firearms fall under the category of weapons that can be owned by any adult without a licence.

The school is closed until further notice, with a vigil due to be held to remember the victims later today as the country goes into three days of mourning.

This is a breaking news story. Follow us onGoogle News, Flipboard, Apple News, Twitter, Facebook or visit The Mirror homepage.