Vienna shooting leaves 5 dead; witnesses post dramatic videos of attack

Several people posted dramatic videos of what appeared to be the shooting and its aftermath. Videos circulated on social media showed a gunman running down a cobblestone street shooting and shouting. One showed a man gunning down a person outside what appeared to be a bar on the street.

Three persons investigate at the scene following gunfire on people enjoying a last evening out before lockdown in the Austrian capital Vienna, early Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak)

At least five people have been killed and several wounded in a “repulsive terrorist attack” in central Vienna, news agency Reuters reported. An armed man, identified as a Islamic State supporter, was shot dead by the police. It is unclear whether the shooter acted alone or with others, but shots were reported from six different locations near the central synagogue. And at least 1,000 police officers have fanned out across the city to look for other possible shooters.

Witnesses said crowded bars were targetted as many people took advantage of the last evening before a nationwide curfew was introduced because of COVID-19.

The shootings took place in the heart of the Austrian capital, hours before the midnight start of a nationwide lockdown, one of several being imposed in Europe to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Several people posted dramatic videos of what appeared to be the shooting and its aftermath. Videos circulated on social media showed a gunman running down a cobblestone street shooting and shouting. One showed a man gunning down a person outside what appeared to be a bar.

Exclusive video of the shooting from the first moments of the attack in Vienna, Austria#Vienna @BittonRosen pic.twitter.com/BDDHIcnTBK

— ערוץ 20 (@arutz20) November 2, 2020

Terrorist attack in #Vienna with 7 dead confirmed and several injured. Attack took place in several locations around #Austria’s capital. The city synagogue was also targeted. Comprehensive anti-terror operation taking undergoing.#terrorism pic.twitter.com/smmlYmHnNf

— Alexandre Krauss (@AlexandreKrausz) November 2, 2020

Another video showed a man in civilian clothing emerging from a bar or restaurant, then firing a rifle twice down a street. Other videos showed people running for cover or ducking behind obstacles as shots echoed through the streets, and heavily armed police officers taking up positions.

LOOK: People were seen fleeing an area in central Vienna, Austria, following a shooting incident that police said at least one person dead and multiple people injured pic.twitter.com/qpUy9VYnKv

— Bloomberg QuickTake (@QuickTake) November 2, 2020

“Currently the police is reporting that there are a total of six crime scenes.”

Puls 24 editor in chief, Stefan Kaltenbrunner tells Sky News that “several perpetrators” are responsible for an attack in Vienna.

Get the latest here: https://t.co/TUb9DAtFXo pic.twitter.com/RujcbgLZj9

— SkyNews (@SkyNews) November 2, 2020

#BREAKING: At least 1 person is reported dead after a shooting occurred in the center of #Vienna, in the area of the Jewish community center and synagogue. The internal security of the jewish community in Austria has instructed all Jewish citizens not to leave their homes. pic.twitter.com/RkNXaEW4P7

— VINnews (@VINNews) November 2, 2020

Terrorist attack in #Vienna with 7 dead confirmed and several injured. Attack took place in several locations around #Austria’s capital. The city synagogue was also targeted. Comprehensive anti-terror operation taking undergoing.#terrorism pic.twitter.com/smmlYmHnNf

— Alexandre Krauss (@AlexandreKrausz) November 2, 2020
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Austrian Interior Minister Karl Nehammer said, “We experienced an attack yesterday evening by at least one Islamist terrorist, a situation that we have not had to live through in Austria for decades. Austria for more than 75 years has been a strong democracy, a mature democracy, a country whose identity is marked by values and basic rights, with freedom of expression, rule of law, but also tolerance in human coexistence. Yesterday’s attack is an attack on just these values.”

After a shooting the glasses at an entrance of a car parking is broken at the scene in Vienna, Austria, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020. Police in the Austrian capital said several shots were fired shortly after 8 p.m. local time on Monday, Nov. 2, in a lively street in the city center of Vienna. Austria’s top security official said authorities believe there were several gunmen involved and that a police operation was still ongoing. (Photo/Ronald Zak)

Condolences poured in from around the world, with top officials from the European Union, France, Norway, Greece and the United States expressing their shock at the attacks. U.S. President Donald Trump said in a tweet that “our prayers are with the people of Vienna after yet another vile act of terrorism in Europe.” “These evil attacks against innocent people must stop. The U.S. stands with Austria, France, and all of Europe in the fight against terrorists, including radical Islamic terrorists.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was saddened by the terror attacks in Vienna and asserted that India stands with Austria during this tragic time.

(With inputs from agencies)

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