According to the police, four people were injured and a 14-year-old boy died during a knife assault on Saturday, in Villach, Austria. According to Paul Eidenberger, of the Austrian Federal Police, a 23-year-old Syrian suspect has been apprehended. He was rammed into by a Syrian civilian who also drove a vehicle at the suspect.
According to the Associated Press, officials stated at a press conference held on Sunday morning that the motive of the attacker was “Islamic terrorism”.
Gerhard Karner, the German Interior Minister, expressed on Sunday his “anger” about a jihadist attacker who was indiscriminately stabbing people in this town. Karner said to journalists in Villach, “The attacker had links with the Islamic State, and had radicalized on the Internet within a short time.”
According to the police, an attack occurred around 4 pm local on a square public on the town’s main street. Two 16-year-old boys suffered serious injuries. According to the police, two other victims aged 28 and 32 received minor injuries.
A civilian rammed the suspect’s car and he received a minor injury. According to police reports, two officers apprehended him without any resistance.
State governor Peter Kaiser thanked the 42-year-old man — also a Syrian and working for a food delivery company — who drove toward the suspect and helped prevent further casualties. “This shows how closely terrorist evil but also human good can be united in the same nationality,” Kaiser said.
He was a resident of Austria, and he is currently seeking asylum. According to the police, he never had contact with them before this incident.
A search was conducted at the suspect’s home in Villach. According to the police, he will be questioned during the night.
Authorities are investigating to determine whether the suspect is connected with the victims.
