Question Marks After Shots Fired in Vienna-Leopoldstadt Present

The main question that needs to be clarified is how the alleged perpetrator died. Initial findings suggest he may have committed suicide. However, he could also have been hit by an officer during the exchange of gunfire. According to the police, the use of firearms is now being investigated by the Federal Bureau for Corruption Prevention and Combating Corruption (BAK).

The Investigation and Complaint Office for Allegations of Mistreatment (EBM) located there has taken over the investigations, according to spokesperson Philipp Haßlinger. The 44-year-old was found dead in his car after the crime, with the weapon lying next to him. It is also unclear how many shots the alleged perpetrator fired in total.

Dispute in Vienna Apartment Building

The bloodshed was preceded by a loud argument in the apartment building on Vorgartenstraße. During this, the Serbian man shot his wife of the same age, who had separated from him and wanted a divorce. His 24-year-old daughter was also hit - she is still fighting for her life with severe head injuries - and her 26-year-old boyfriend. He has already been moved to the general ward and has been questioned. The 44-year-old fled the apartment after the bloodshed, and neighbors alerted the police.

The arriving officers noticed the Serbian man on the street, who, when they asked him to stop, aimed a weapon at them and fired. An officer returned fire, after which the 44-year-old initially fled in a white Mercedes but then stopped nearby.

Man Subject to Weapons Ban

The motive was apparently jealousy. The 44-year-old had been subject to a weapons ban for some time, which was imposed in 2014 along with a restraining order following an incident with his wife. At that time, there was no prohibition on approaching. The man had illegally possessed the firearm, an old Belgian make with a 9 mm caliber. According to spokesperson Haßlinger, there was currently no active restraining or prohibition on approaching.

Important Information

In Austria, women experiencing violence can find help and information, among others, at the Women's Helpline: 0800-222-555, www.frauenhelpline.at; at the Association of Autonomous Austrian Women's Shelters (AÖF) at www.aoef.at; Violence Protection Center Vienna: https://www.gewaltschutzzentrum.at/wien/ and at the 24-hour Women's Emergency Hotline of the City of Vienna: 01-71719 as well as the Women's Shelter Emergency Hotline at 057722 and the Austrian Violence Protection Centers: 0800/700-217; Police Emergency Number: 133

Are you in a desperate life situation and need help? Talk to other people about it. The Suicide Prevention Portal of the Ministry of Health offers support for people with suicidal thoughts and their relatives. At www.suizid-praevention.gv.at you can find contact details of support facilities in Austria.

(APA/Red)

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