Chronicle
A man armed with a knife sparked a major operation in the Kappenplatz in Vienna-Brigitte on Thursday night. The man barricaded himself in his apartment and threatened police officers with a long gun. When several attempts were made to contact the suspect, the police opened fire. Then the man was seriously injured and died.
Police spokesman Mattias Schuster said the suspect was seen by several people with a knife in the Kapaunplatz area. The man also reportedly made threats. Police received the first concerned calls around 9:30 p.m. The suspect fled to his apartment on the third floor of the municipal building. Police rushed to the apartment and the man opened the door for officers — with a long gun in hand. Then the firing was done.
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The suspect retreated again and stepped onto the balcony of a third-floor apartment, this time pointing his gun directly at officers outside the building. “Due to an apparent threat, the police opened fire again,” spokesman Matthias Schuster told APA near the scene.
Police cordoned off a large part of the area
The assailant then fled back into the home. “The door was forced open,” Shuster said. Police found the suspect dead. In the end, only an emergency physician could determine his death. Details of the man’s identity are not yet available.
Emergency services were on site on Thursday night with a large number of officers from WEGA, COBRA and the service dog unit. The area around the Kabanplatz was cordoned off in a large area.
