Knife attack in Villach: 14-year-old dies, perpetrators radicalized via Tiktok

Knife attack in Villach: 14-year-old dies, perpetrators radicalized via Tiktok

In a shocking incident in Villach, Carinthia, a 23-year-old Syrian, Ahmad G., on February 15, 2025, stabbed passers-by with a folding knife. This tragic knife attack cost the life of a 14-year-old student and injured five other people, including two young people aged 15, and adults aged 28, 32 and 36. The attack occurred at 3:55 p.m. in the city center, and the perpetrator apparently called "Allahu Akbar" during the attack, as witnesses reported, while using the blade with a length of ten centimeters bij. Ahmad G., who has lived in Austria since 2020 and has had asylum status until 2028, previously bought the knife for about 150 euros, such as kosmo.at reported.

radicalization and arrest

The police discovered evidence of radicalization, including flags of the Islamic State (IS) and references to its activities on the Internet, especially on Tikok during a search by Ahmad G.'s apartment. Interior Minister Gerhard Karner has announced that it would introduceless mass reviews to prevent such incidents. A 42-year-old meal supplier, also a Syrian descent, noticed the action and was able to prevent worse by intervening with his vehicle. When arrested, the perpetrator is said to have laughed at the police, which was recorded in an impressive photo that reached the general public. The wikipedia documents the quick development of events and reactions of the investigative authorities, the murder and attempted murder.

The victims concerned are partly in a critical condition in intensive care units. The entire villach is shaken by the tragedy; In response to the incident, all planned events were canceled until further notice. The city plans a funeral march and many people lay down flowers at the scene. Ahmad's radicalization represents an alarming development that the Austrian society focuses on in the focus of security discussions. The brutal attack has not only triggered grief, but also fear among the residents and leaves the question of how such incidents can be prevented in the future.