Syrian Asylum Seeker Stabs Teen in Austria During Violent Knife Attack
A tragic and shocking incident unfolded in the southern Austrian city of Villach on Saturday afternoon, leaving a 14-year-old boy dead and several others injured. The attacker, identified as a 23-year-old Syrian asylum seeker named Ahmad G., allegedly shouted “Allahu Akbar” before launching a vicious knife rampage near the city’s main square. Witnesses reported that the assailant appeared to be laughing as he carried out the attack, which has been described as a suspected Islamist-motivated assault.
The attack occurred just before 4 p.m., sending shockwaves through the community. Ahmad G. reportedly targeted his victims at random, stabbing them as they walked near the bustling square. Among the injured were two men who sustained serious wounds—one was stabbed eight times in the back, while the other suffered a knife wound to the heart. Both victims were rushed to Klagenfurt State Hospital for urgent treatment.
The rampage was brought to an end thanks to the courageous actions of Alaaeddin Alhalabi, a 42-year-old Syrian delivery van driver who has lived in Villach for nine years. Without hesitation, Alhalabi used his vehicle to stop the attacker, striking him and preventing further harm. “I didn’t think about it, I reacted immediately,” Alhalabi later told Austrian news outlet 5 Minuten. He expressed his love for Villach, stating, “Villach has given me a lot.” His quick thinking likely saved lives, and he has been hailed as a hero by local authorities.
Images from the scene of the arrest showed the suspect grinning as police surrounded him with weapons. Police spokesman Rainer Dionisio described the suspect’s demeanor as unsettling, noting that videos of the arrest captured the perpetrator laughing. “As things stand, it is a good thing that the witness hit the perpetrator,” Dionisio told reporters. The suspect is now in custody, and an investigation into the motive behind the attack is underway.
The community is reeling from the senseless violence, with Mayor Günther Albel expressing his grief and outrage. “As mayor, but above all as a father of two children, today’s news from Villach breaks my heart,” Albel said. He extended his condolences to the family of the deceased teenager and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. The mayor also issued a stern message to those who perpetuate hatred and violence, declaring, “You will not win.” The incident has left Villach in mourning, as residents grapple with the aftermath of a tragedy that has shaken their sense of safety and unity.