Suspected attack in Vienna park: 32-year-old allegedly harassed women and injured a police officer

Attack on the arriving officers

The alerted police were able to quickly stop the suspect. However, according to the executive, the man resisted his arrest significantly. "Plötzlich stürmte der 32-Jährige auf die Beamten zu, spuckte eine Polizeidiensthundeführerin an, packte sie an den Unterarmen und versetzte ihr mit seiner Stirn mehrere Stöße gegen den Kopf." The officer was injured in the attack.

Arrest and drug suspicion

The attacker was subsequently arrested using physical force. During the arrest, "setzte er sich so heftig zur Wehr, dass ihm Hand- und Fußfesseln angelegt werden mussten". During the subsequent search of his person, officers also seized cannabis. "Der Mann wirkte augenscheinlich durch Suchtmittel beeinträchtigt", police stated.

The Bulgarian was reported on multiple occasions. He is in custody; according to police, an interrogation has not yet been possible. The exact background of the crime as well as possible prior information about the man were still the subject of ongoing investigations on Sunday.

Investigations and consequences

The 29-year-old Viennese woman and the two female witnesses received medical care after the attack. Investigators initially did not comment in detail on the severity of the injuries to the attacked women and the police officer.

The incident occurred in Alois-Drasche-Park in Vienna's 4th municipal district of Wieden, not far from Kopernikusgasse. The park is heavily frequented as an inner-city green space in the evening hours; the exact sequence of events is currently being reconstructed.

Vienna police emphasized in an initial statement that witnesses who intervene in such a situation would be supported. Tips from the public had contributed decisively to the rapid arrest of the suspect in this case.

Reactions from the district

Criminally, the 32-year-old is likely to face several charges based on the current state of affairs, including bodily harm, sexual harassment, and resisting state authority. The Vienna Public Prosecutor's Office is reviewing the facts of the case.

The case also raises questions about prevention and protection in public space. Residents of Wieden have repeatedly pointed out feelings of insecurity in the park recently; the City of Vienna has already announced talks with the police.