Arrest of a Syrian minor after threatening teenagers with a weapon near Donaustadt
The area around the Kagran subway station in the Donaustadt district of Vienna witnessed widespread panic on Wednesday afternoon after a 17-year-old minor threatened several teenagers with a weapon, prompting eyewitnesses to immediately report to the police.
According to the information, the minor, who is of Syrian nationality, pulled out a firearm in the public street around 3:00 PM and aimed it at other teenagers in front of the entrance to Donauzentrum. The incident occurred in front of several passersby, including a mother who was with her son, causing a state of shock and severe fear in the area.
A witness reported in statements to the newspaper Hoytih that she saw the young man suddenly stop in front of her and pull out a weapon while shouting at a group of young men who were fleeing the scene, confirming that those present were paralyzed with fear. She added that she quickly called the police and left the place immediately.
A few minutes later, the scene repeated itself in the same place, where the teenager was seen chasing the young men again, prompting the witness to call the police for the second time. As a result, the police intervened and succeeded in apprehending the minor in the vicinity.
During the security intervention, the police seized ammunition from the suspect, who later confessed to the location of the hidden weapon. According to the investigations, the minor led the police officers to a nearby parking garage, where a gas pistol was found hidden under one of the cars.
During the search, a small amount of cannabis was also found in the possession of the minor. The suspect stated during the interrogation that he felt threatened by a group of between eight to ten people, which prompted him to draw his weapon, according to his statements.
Investigations are still ongoing to determine the circumstances of the incident fully, while the police confirmed that the incident left a significant psychological shock among the witnesses, especially the families who were present at the scene at the moment of the incident.