Heroic driver stops knife-wielding attacker after Austrian teenager is fatally stabbed in shocking rampage that saw at least 30 dead. .APA/AFP via Gettyimages
(EPICSTORIAN) — A violent stabbing rampage in Villach, Austria, left a 14-year-old boy dead and several others wounded before a courageous bystander intervened to stop the attacker.
The suspect, a 23-year-old Syrian asylum seeker identified as Ahmad G., reportedly shouted “Allahu Akbar” before launching the attack on Saturday afternoon, according to Daily Mail.
Ahmad G’s Stabbing Rampage
Witnesses described a chilling scene as the assailant, seen grinning during his arrest, moved through the city wielding a knife. Within ten minutes, five people were injured, two critically.
The violence ended when a Syrian food delivery driver, Alaaeddin Alhalabi, 42, used his car to ram the attacker, preventing further casualties before police moved in.
Eyewitness Account
Alhalabi recounted the moment he decided to act, saying, “I was just about to pick up an order in Lederergasse when I saw all the blood and two injured people lying on the ground.
He was headed toward the city center, where children were on the street—I couldn’t let that happen.”
Police are investigating whether the suspect had an accomplice or if the attack was ideologically motivated. No known prior criminal history has been linked to Ahmad G., who had been residing in an asylum center.
A spokesperson stated, “We have to wait until we get secure information,” as investigations continue.
Local media reported that multiple witnesses heard the suspect shouting religious phrases, leading to speculation about a possible extremist motive. Austrian authorities are examining his background for any connections to radical networks.
Political Reaction and Immigration Debate
Political leaders reacted swiftly, with right-wing parties blaming Austria’s asylum policies. Freedom Party leader Herbert Kickl stated, “We need a rigorous crackdown on asylum and cannot continue to import conditions like those in Villach.”
Elon Musk also weighed in, criticizing European immigration policies in a post on social media platform X. He reshared a statement from Dutch political commentator Eva Vlaardingerbroek, which read, “This Syrian migrant stabbed a 14-year-old Austrian boy to death and injured five others today. He proudly smiles after the fact.” Musk captioned the post simply: “Terrible.”
The attack occurred amid rising tensions over immigration in Europe. The Austrian Ministry of Interior reported that 24,941 asylum applications were filed in 2024, with the majority coming from Syria and Afghanistan.
Numbers have declined significantly since 2022, when applications peaked at over 100,000.
Connections to Munich Attack
The Villach stabbing came just days after another violent incident in Germany, where an Afghan asylum seeker, identified as Farhad N., drove a Mini Cooper into a demonstration in Munich, injuring 39 people. A woman and her two-year-old daughter later died from their injuries.
Authorities in Germany confirmed the suspect admitted to deliberately targeting the protest. Senior prosecutor Gabriele Tilmann stated, “During interrogation, he confessed to intentionally driving into the crowd.” The attack has been classified as religiously motivated.
European Leaders to Fight migrant-related violence
European leaders are under pressure and face renewed scrutiny over border control policies as public concern over migrant-related violence grows.
In December, several European countries, including Austria, suspended decisions on asylum claims for Syrian nationals due to instability in Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad.
Carinthia’s governor, Peter Kaiser, called for stricter measures, posting on X, “The unbelievable atrocity in Villach must have the harshest consequences! Anyone who lives in Carinthia, in Austria, must respect the law.”
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Austria’s Interior Minister Gerhard Karner is expected in Villach to assess the situation further. Investigations continue into potential links between the Austrian and German attacks, as concerns over radicalization and security risks dominate political discourse.
