A police operation at a middle school in Floridsdorf, Austria, prompted concern this morning—Monday, September 22—after a 19-year-old Somali allegedly attacked three school staff members.
Around 11 a.m., multiple police units were deployed to the school on Hanreitergasse. A school custodian noticed the young man’s presence and confronted him. The suspect reportedly pulled out a lighter, threatened the 59-year-old school staff member, and burned his elbow.
When the headmistress and her deputy intervened, the Somali teen became increasingly aggressive, striking both with his fists. Police arriving at the scene were eventually able to detain him.
Investigators have not yet questioned the suspect, and he has not offered any explanation for his actions. Officials suggest he may have been experiencing a mental health crisis.
The violent incident raises further unease about public safety in Vienna. Earlier, a 25-year-old woman was found critically injured in a knife attack, while last week the Austrian police investigated a mass stabbing in Vienna which left multiple victims.
