UPDATED: 05.07.2025, 08:15

A 36-year-old Polish man has confessed to firing a shot at a tram on Line 52 in Vienna’s Penzing district on Friday afternoon. No one was injured in the incident, which triggered a large-scale police operation. The suspect was apprehended shortly before 5:00 p.m. in a nearby café by special police unit WEGA. Authorities discovered a rifle and shell casings in his apartment. Police spokesperson Philipp Haßlinger stated that investigations into the motive are ongoing.

The incident unfolded in Linzer Straße 150. During the operation, two apartments were searched, as it was unclear from which the shot had been fired. In one of the flats, a long gun and ammunition were found. According to police, the weapon was legally owned by the suspect. He was later arrested on suspicion of attempted murder by order of the Vienna public prosecutor’s office and is currently in custody at the Vienna State Criminal Police Office. Investigators are now examining whether the man was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time. He has previously been reported for drug-related offenses.

At 2:56 p.m., Vienna police confirmed via X that a shot had been fired using an “unknown object.” Photos circulating on social media appeared to show a hole in one of the tram’s windows, supporting the shooting theory.

Major Police Operation Shuts Down Linzer Straße

The incident prompted road closures throughout the area. All side streets between Hütteldorfer Straße (near Zehetnergasse) and Lützowgasse were blocked, along with Linzer Straße from number 151 to 214. Loud bangs were heard during an APA on-site visit, and two armored police vehicles were deployed at the scene.

Alongside district officers and riot police, special units including WEGA and EKO Cobra were involved. Vienna’s professional fire brigade also stood by to assist with apartment searches. A fire brigade spokesperson told APA they were requested for “assistance services to the police.”