A 67-year-old man on prison leave allegedly killed a man and critically injured a woman with a long gun on Sunday morning in Traiskirchen (Baden district). The suspect fled by car and later died by suicide, police spokesperson Johann Baumschlager confirmed. The male victim died at the scene, while the woman was flown by emergency helicopter to a hospital. The Lower Austria State Criminal Police Office is investigating.
The crime occurred in broad daylight on a street next to a building. The emergency call came in shortly after 10:00 a.m., said Baumschlager. The shooter was an Austrian citizen on temporary release from prison. His body was found in a nearby field. He was under a legal gun ban, so he possessed the long weapon illegally. The woman is not in life-threatening condition.
The motive remains unclear. Authorities are investigating the relationship between the shooter and the victims. Forensic experts secured evidence at the scene. “Background checks and interviews are ongoing,” said Baumschlager.
According to the Ministry of Justice, the perpetrator had been serving a sentence for violent crimes and was on approved leave as part of the reintegration process. His sentence was due to end in December. He had completed multiple supervised and unsupervised outings without incident. A full investigation into the circumstances is now underway.
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, please visit www.suizid-praevention.gv.at or www.bittelebe.at for help and support services.
