Murder and jealousy: Tragedy in Leopoldstadt shocks neighbors

Murder and jealousy: Tragedy in Leopoldstadt shocks neighbors

A tragic incident occurred in Vienna-Leopoldstadt in which a 44-year-old man shot his wife of the same age before he was found dead in his car. The initial investigation suggests that the man may have committed suicide after he committed the act in a loud argument with his wife, who wanted to separate from him. In addition to the man, his 24-year-old daughter was also hit, suffering serious head injuries and fighting for her life. Her 26-year-old friend was also injured, but was transferred to the normal ward and is available to the authorities for further questioning. Exxpress reports that the man had already had discussions with his wife in the past, which led to a weapons ban being imposed in 2014.

After the fatal incident, the perpetrator fled the apartment while neighbors alerted the police. When the officers spotted him on the street and asked him to stop, he pointed his gun at them and opened fire. A police officer returned fire as the man tried to leave. Finally, the perpetrator was found dead after an exchange of fire near where he fled; the gun was next to him in the car.

Investigations and backgrounds

The exact circumstances of the incident are now being investigated by the Federal Office for the Prevention and Fight against Corruption (BAK). The focus is on the use of the police and the circumstances surrounding the use of firearms. It is still unclear exactly how many shots the perpetrator fired. There is suspicion that jealousy was the motive for the fatal act. In addition, there was no current ban on approaching, which leads to questions about security precautions.

Domestic violence surveys are a relevant topic in this context. According to the Federal Statistical Office, there has been an increase in reported cases of domestic violence in Germany over the years, where women are disproportionately affected as victims. This is directly related to the worrying reality of domestic violence, which is also not unknown in Austria.

The Investigation and Complaints Center for Allegations of Abuse (EBM) has taken responsibility for clarifying the incidents. General security awareness and dealing with suspicions about potential dangers from high-risk perpetrators are of great importance these days. Such incidents not only raise questions about individual fates, but also about the social framework and the necessary support for such victims of violence.