Austria, knife attack in Villach: 14-year-old killed, four injured. 23-year-old Syrian arrested.

A tragic episode of violence has shocked the town of Villach, in southern Austria, where a 23-year-old man stabbed five passers-by, killing a boy of only 14 years old. The attack occurred on the afternoon of Saturday, February 15, near the main square. The perpetrator, a Syrian citizen with a residence permit, was arrested by the police.

The dynamics of the attack

According to Austrian television ORF and confirmed by police spokesman Rainer Dionisio, the 23-year-old began stabbing passers-by shortly before 16 p.m. The oldest victim to be injured is 00 years old. The motive for the attack is still unclear and authorities are investigating whether it was an isolated incident or a premeditated act.

The arrest was made thanks to the intervention of a witness

A witness present at the scene of the attack witnessed the scene and decided to intervene decisively: he hit the attacker with his car, slowing down his escape and thus allowing the arrest by the police.

Ongoing investigations and possible accomplices

Austrian authorities are currently trying to clarify whether the attacker acted alone or whether other people were involved. According to the daily newspaper “Kurier”, the possibility that there may have been an accomplice has not been ruled out, and for this reason a manhunt is still underway.

Reactions and safety

The attack has deeply shocked public opinion and rekindled the debate on security in Austrian cities. Local authorities have assured that security measures will be strengthened to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Investigations are continuing to determine the motives for the attack and verify any links to extremist groups or previous psychiatric problems of the suspect.