A 23-year-old Syrian national is in custody after a fatal stabbing in Villach. A 14-year-old boy died and four others were injured.
The incident happened on Saturday, February 15th in the city of Villach, Austria. Police said a 23-year-old man was arrested and is suspected of stabbing five people.
The photo shows the suspect smiling as he sits on a stone bench. A police officer is walking toward him in the picture. The suspect is reportedly a Syrian national who has legal residency in Austria.
A police spokesperson said the motive is unknown and they are investigating the suspect’s background. A food delivery driver saw the attack and used his car to help stop it. All the victims were men. Two had serious injuries, and two had minor injuries.
The governor expressed his condolences to the victim’s family. He stated the attack must have harsh consequences. He emphasized that everyone must respect the law.
Politicians reacted to the stabbing on social media, expressing anger and sadness about the event. Some called for stricter immigration laws. The interior minister planned to visit the city, and authorities will set up a place for mourning.
Police are still in search of more suspects. They do not know if the suspect acted alone, nor do they know if there’s any connection.
In Munich, Germany, a similar event happened recently where a girl and her mother died after being injured in a car-ramming attack. This has raised concerns about immigration before elections.