Austria: Syrian Refugee Stabs Five People on Street-One Dead

Violent act in Villach

Syrian stabs randomly with knife: 14-year-old dead

Carinthia, Feb 15, 2025 18:48

Caption: For a 14-year-old president of Villach, the stabbing ended fatally. 4 other victims were seriously injured.

A terrible act in Villach on Saturday afternoon led to a major police deployment. The trigger was a knife stabbing, (and) one perpetrator was arrested- For a 14-year-old resident of Villach, the act was deadly, four other victims were seriously injured. The (circumstances) are unclear, (and) the investigators at this time are ruling nothing out.

“This is an extraordinary act. Such a thing is unprecedented in Carinthia,” a shocked Rainer Dionisio, head of public relations (LPD-State Police) Carinthia “The background (circumstances) of the act are still unknown, the entire picture will be examined. “Shortly before 4 pm, at a sausage stand in the Villach inner city, a 23-year-old Syrian suddenly began to stab passersby. While 2 of the victims were slightly injured, 2 others were seriously injured, (and) for a 14-year-old resident of Villach, this afternoon ended fatally. He was fatally stabbed by the attacker. All the victims are male.

Caption:  The perpetrator injured five people. A 14-year-old died.

But it could have been worse had not a brave witness intervened. “A 42-year-old food delivery man, who is also Syrian, observed the act. He then drove his vehicle into the perpetrator,” Dionisio further reports. The Syrian stated that he did it “before even more happened”. At this time, an (investigation) is underway throughout Carinthia under the direction of the State Office for National Security and the State Criminal Police. Whether there is any terrorist (connection) should be cleared up by the investigations.

What is especially stunning- the perpetrator seemed to have no remorse. “Videos of the arrest showed how the perpetrator was laughing,” says a stunned Dionisio. Given the current state of affairs, it’s a good thing that the witness drove into the perpetrator.” The 23-year-old  (man who went on a rampage), and who had no previous police record, had a card on his person that identified as having asylum status- he was reportedly living in the Langauen Asylum Center.

Politician demands consequences

“This incomprehensible atrocity must have the most severe consequences! I have always said clearly and unequivocally: Whoever lives in Carinthia, in Austria, must respect law and order, and adapt to our rules and values,” states State Governor Peter Kaiser in clear words. “Whoever violates this must suffer the most severe consequences- that is to put them on trial, imprison them, and deport them!” To the relatives and victims, he expressed his sympathy: “My deepest sympathy as state governor and, above all, personally as a father, go the family of the murdered young man.”