Police in Vienna-Simmering: Man with an airsoft rifle triggers an operation!

Police in Vienna-Simmering: Man with an airsoft rifle triggers an operation!

On the afternoon of June 20, 2025 at around 4:30 p.m., the police were alerted to Herderpark in Vienna-Simmering. A witness observed a 34-year-old man handling a rifle. The situation seemed alarming because it was unclear whether it was a real weapon or not. The man was in a crouched position praying, which increased the witness's concern.

Due to the potential danger, officers from the Simmering City Police Command arrived. When the man noticed the police officers, he dropped the rifle. During the inspection it turned out that it was an airsoft rifle that could not fire real bullets. Nevertheless, the situation had to be taken seriously given the man's behavior.

Exceptional psychological situation

During the arrest, the officers were able to determine that the 34-year-old was obviously in an exceptional psychological state. This led to an official medical examination, after which the man was admitted to hospital. The man's nationality remains unclear to the public for the time being, which raises additional questions.

Already in the first alert it was pointed out that the uncertainty about the authenticity of the weapon and the man's unusual behavior required a quick response from the police. According to [Kurier](https://kurier.at/chronik/wien/verwirrter-mann-hantierte-in-simmeringer-park-mit-softair- Pistole/403051934) the initial assessment was that this was a potentially dangerous situation. The police's quick intervention prevented anything worse from happening.

The events in Herder Park shed light on the challenges emergency responders face, particularly when dealing with people who clearly have mental health problems. This situation remains another example of the need for a sensitive and at the same time decisive approach in crisis cases, as also demonstrated by Vienna.at and ORF Vienna is highlighted.