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Police issue arrest warrant for tram shooter

Austrian police have issued a European arrest warrant for a Kosovo Albanian man suspected of shooting dead another man on a tram in Vienna on Sunday evening.

Published: 28 May 2015 09:10 CEST
Police issue arrest warrant for tram shooter
Detectives at the crime scene. Photo: ORF

They said they know his name and believe he fled the country with his brother.

Surveillance camera footage from the tram as well as information from members of the public meant police were able to establish the suspect’s identity within days, police spokesman Patrick Maierhofer said.

He added that police believe the brothers left Austria immediately after the shooting and are making their way back to Kosovo, where they live. 

They are believed to have travelled to Vienna to carry out what is thought to be a revenge killing motivated by a long-term family feud between two Kosovo Albanian families.

A second man, reported to be the 28-year-old victim’s brother, was seriously injured in the shooting and a 19-year-old woman who just happened to be in the same tram car was hit in the leg by a stray bullet.

The shooter and his brother escaped from the tram on foot and ran towards the city centre. They were last seen at Pilgramgasse.

The incident happened at around 8.30pm in the back of the 49 tram, at the Johnstrasse stop.

Witnesses said that the four men were in a heated argument and were shouting in “a foreign language”. As the tram approached the stop the two brothers tried to leave the train but the Kosovo Albanian pulled out a gun and shot at them several times.

CRIME

UPDATED: Vienna police investigating possible ‘threat’ to Donau Zentrum shopping centre

The Viennese police have confirmed they are investigating a possible - and unspecified - threat to the popular shopping centre in the city's 22nd district.

Published: 29 April 2024 17:32 CEST
UPDATED: Vienna police investigating possible 'threat' to Donau Zentrum shopping centre

The Vienna police confirmed they are investigating a non-specified threat to the Donau Zentrum shopping centre, located in the Austrian capital’s 22nd district, a spokesperson told The Local. 

On Monday, pictures of an alleged internal document sent by the shopping centre to tenants circulated on social media and messaging apps. The document stated there was a “threat against the Westfield Donau Zentrum for April 30, 2024”. It stated that the authorities had been working to identify suspects since yesterday.

“The source of the threat is a photo circulating online”, the statement said without giving further details. “If we receive additional information or specifications, we will immediately inform you”, it added.

“There is currently no reason for you as an employee to worry as we are strictly following police guidelines”, the document said. It was signed by a manager of the shopping centre. The Local reached out to Donau Zentrum media representatives, who confirmed a threat against the centre.

“The Center Management of Westfield Donau Zentrum can confirm a threat against the center and is in ongoing communication with the relevant authorities. We are taking the situation seriously. The safety of everyone in the center is our top priority. After coordination with the authorities, the center will be open as usual today”, they said.

The Vienna police confirmed the veracity of the statement and added, “We are aware of the matter and are investigating,” they replied after an inquiry on their official social media channels. The Local reached out to the press office for further clarification but has not yet received a response.

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