Syrian ‘asylum seeker’ goes on stabbing spree in Austria

A teenager was killed and four others injured in a knife attack in the city of Villach on Saturday

A knife attack in the southern Austrian city of Villach on Saturday left one person dead and at least four others wounded. The suspect, identified as a 23-year-old Syrian national, was apprehended by police shortly after the incident.

The deceased victim was a 14-year-old boy, police spokesman Rainer Dionisio told AFP. Authorities did not name the suspect but confirmed that he had a temporary “legal residence status” in Austria while awaiting a decision on his asylum application.

“A man randomly attacked passersby with a knife,” Dionisio said. The motive behind the attack and whether the suspect knew any of the victims remain unclear.

Two of the four injured sustained serious wounds, while the others suffered minor injuries, Austrian national broadcaster ORF reported. According to police, the attack was apparently interrupted by a delivery worker who drove his vehicle at the suspect, preventing further harm.

A 23-year-old Syrian asylum seeker randomly stabbed five people on the street near the Drau Bridge in Villach, killing a 14-year-old boy. A food delivery driver stopped the attack by hitting him with a car. One suspect is in custody, others may still be on the run. #Villach pic.twitter.com/3ACokcC9x6— Geopoliti