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On the evening of 2 November 2020, a series of shootings took place in Vienna, Austria, leaving at least four people dead and several others injured. The attack, which occurred at six locations near Vienna's central synagogue, was carried out by several suspects armed with rifles and was described by authorities as an Islamist terrorist attack. The incident began at about 8 pm (7 pm GMT) when a heavily armed man opened fire on people outside cafes and restaurants, sparking a major security operation involving hundreds of police officers and resulting in a nationwide manhunt for the perpetrators.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | Monday, 2 November 2020 |
| Time | 8:00 p.m. (7:00 p.m. GMT) |
| Location | Vienna, Austria |
| Number of Gunmen | 1 confirmed, up to 5 suspected |
| Crime Scenes | 6 |
| Victims | 5 dead, 22 wounded |
| Suspects | 1 shot dead, 14 arrested |
| Motive | Islamic State terrorism |
| Target | Vienna's main synagogue |
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What You'll Learn
- A terrorist attack in Vienna left four victims and one gunman dead
- The gunman was an Islamic State sympathiser with Austrian-Macedonian citizenship
- The attack took place at six locations near Vienna's central synagogue
- Police made 18 raids and detained 14 people in connection with the attack
- World leaders expressed solidarity with Austria and condemned the attack
A terrorist attack in Vienna left four victims and one gunman dead
On the evening of 2 November 2020, a terrorist attack in Vienna, Austria, left four victims and one gunman dead. The attack took place at six locations in the city centre, including near a synagogue, and involved multiple gunmen armed with rifles. The Austrian authorities described the incident as a "`repulsive terror attack'" driven by "hatred of our way of life, our democracy".
The attack began at about 8 pm, just hours before a nationwide lockdown was to be imposed in Austria to curb rising cases of coronavirus. The gunman, later identified as 20-year-old Kujtim Fejzulai, was an Islamic State "sympathizer" with Austrian-North Macedonian dual citizenship. He had previously been convicted and sentenced to 22 months in prison for attempting to travel to Syria to join the Islamic State group. Fejzulai was granted early release in December 2019 under juvenile law.
During the attack, Fejzulai opened fire on people outside cafes and restaurants, with witnesses reporting that the gunmen chased people as they fled inside. The shooting left four people dead: two men and two women. One of the female victims was a waitress. In addition to the four fatalities, 22 people were wounded, including a police officer.
As the attack unfolded, police urged people to avoid public spaces and public transportation. The army was deployed to protect sites in the capital, allowing the police to focus on anti-terror operations. A manhunt was launched for potential accomplices, with about 1,000 officers searching across Vienna and 18 raids carried out, resulting in several arrests.
In the aftermath of the attack, Austria declared three days of national mourning, with schools closed and flags flying at half-mast. The nation grieved for the victims, with Chancellor Sebastian Kurz describing them as "an older man, an older woman, a young passerby, and a waitress". The world expressed solidarity with Austria, with leaders condemning the attack and offering their support.
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The gunman was an Islamic State sympathiser with Austrian-Macedonian citizenship
On the evening of Monday, November 2, 2020, a 20-year-old gunman, Kujtim Fejzulai, went on a shooting spree in Vienna, Austria, killing four people and injuring 22 others. The attack took place in a busy city centre area near Vienna's central synagogue, with the assailant opening fire on people outside cafes and restaurants. The suspect, who was wearing a fake explosive belt, was subsequently shot and killed by the police.
Austrian authorities identified Fejzulai as an Islamic State sympathizer with Austrian-Macedonian citizenship. He had previously been sentenced to 22 months in detention for attempting to join the Islamic State in Syria but had been released early from prison. Interior Minister Karl Nehammer acknowledged that the attack exposed gaps in the country's deradicalization efforts, stating that Fejzulai had fooled the system.
The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack, which occurred amid a wave of extremist violence in Europe. The attack in Vienna was the first of its kind in the country, with Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz emphasizing that it was driven by "hatred of our way of life, our democracy." The nation, he stressed, was engaged in a battle "between civilization and barbarism."
In the aftermath of the attack, Austria declared three days of national mourning, with schools closed in Vienna the following day. The army was deployed to support law enforcement in their search for possible accomplices, with around 1,000 officers involved in the operation. The incident also prompted heightened security measures across Europe, with neighbouring countries such as the Czech Republic conducting random border checks.
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The attack took place at six locations near Vienna's central synagogue
On the evening of Monday, 2 November 2020, a terrorist attack took place in Vienna, Austria, at six locations near Vienna's central synagogue. The assailant, a 20-year-old male with North Macedonian and Austrian citizenship, was described as an Islamist terrorist by authorities. The attack began at approximately 8 pm local time, with the suspect opening fire on people outside cafes and restaurants near the Seitenstettengasse synagogue. Vienna Community Rabbi Schlomo Hofmeister reported that he witnessed at least two gunmen shoot at least 100 rounds in front of the synagogue compound.
The attacks took place at six locations in central Vienna: Seitenstettengasse and nearby Morzinplatz, Salzgries, Fleischmarkt, Bauernmarkt, and Graben. The suspect was shot and killed by police near St Rupert's Church. The interior minister, Karl Nehammer, urged the public to stay indoors as the police continued their search for possible accomplices. About 1,000 officers were deployed across Vienna, concentrating their search in the city centre.
During the attack, four people were killed, including two men and two women, and 22 others were wounded. One of the injured was a police officer who attempted to stop the attacker. The Austrian chancellor, Sebastian Kurz, described the victims as an older man, an older woman, a young passerby, and a waitress. He characterised the attack as driven by "hatred of our way of life, our democracy".
The day following the attack, schools in Vienna were closed, and the country observed three days of national mourning. Theatres, opera houses, and museums across the city were shut down, with thousands of people trapped inside as a result of the sudden lockdown. Performers and staff attempted to distract those stranded with impromptu concerts and moderated conversations.
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Police made 18 raids and detained 14 people in connection with the attack
On the evening of Monday, November 2, 2020, a 20-year-old gunman killed four people and wounded 22 others in a series of shootings across six locations in Vienna, Austria. The attacks, which began around 8 p.m., targeted people outside cafes and restaurants near the city's central synagogue. The assailant, who was described as heavily armed and dangerous, was shot and killed by the police.
In the wake of the attacks, Austrian police carried out 18 raids and detained 14 people in connection with the investigation. The raids were conducted as part of a major security operation involving hundreds of officers and the Austrian army. The police were searching for possible accomplices and seeking to prevent further attacks.
The detained individuals were questioned about their potential involvement in the planning or execution of the attacks, as well as their association with the gunman. During the raids, the police collected evidence, including electronic devices, documents, and weapons, to assist in their investigation. They also searched the home of the gunman and seized video material, which provided valuable insights into his motives and activities.
The raids and detentions were a critical step in the ongoing investigation into the attacks. The police worked tirelessly to gather information, identify suspects, and bring those responsible to justice. The operation aimed to enhance the safety and security of the community and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
The Austrian authorities' swift and decisive response to the attacks demonstrated their commitment to combating terrorism and protecting the public. The raids and detentions sent a strong message that such acts of violence would not be tolerated and that those involved would be held accountable for their actions.
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World leaders expressed solidarity with Austria and condemned the attack
On the night of November 2, 2020, a series of shootings took place in Vienna, Austria, resulting in the deaths of four civilians and one gunman. The attack, which occurred at six locations near Vienna's central synagogue, was deemed a "`repulsive terror attack"` by Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz.
World leaders expressed their solidarity with Austria and condemned the attack:
United States
U.S. President Donald Trump stated:
> 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.
United Kingdom
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson expressed:
> I am deeply shocked by the terrible attacks [...] The UK's thoughts are with the people of Austria—we stand united with you against terror.
France
French President Emmanuel Macron shared:
> We French share the shock and the grief of the Austrian people struck this evening by an attack in the heart of their capital, Vienna. After France, it is a friendly country that is attacked. This is our Europe. Our enemies must know who they are dealing with. We will not give up anything.
Italy
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte remarked:
> My thoughts are with the victims and the people of #Vienna in the wake of tonight's horrific attack. [...] There is no room for hatred and violence in our common European home.
India
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said:
> I am deeply shocked and saddened by the dastardly terror attacks in Vienna. India stands with Austria during this tragic time.
European Union
European Council Chief Charles Michel stated:
> Europe strongly condemns this cowardly act that violates life and our human values. My thoughts are with the victims and the people of #Vienna in the wake of tonight's horrific attack. We stand with Austria.
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Frequently asked questions
A 20-year-old gunman with dual Austrian-North Macedonian citizenship carried out a terrorist attack in six locations in central Vienna, killing four people and wounding 22 more. The attack began at about 8 pm and the suspect was shot dead by the police near St Rupert's Church.
Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz described the attack as a repulsive terror attack driven by "hatred of our way of life, our democracy". The interior minister, Karl Nehammer, called the attacker an Islamic State "sympathizer". The attacker had previously been convicted under a law that punishes membership in "terrorist" organisations and had tried to travel to Syria to join the Islamic State group.
Austrian police launched a manhunt for the attackers and made 18 raids, detaining 14 people. The army was deployed in the capital to back up law enforcement and authorities urged people to stay indoors.
