The Viennese policeman describes the terrorist attack: “He will not give up until he is hit”

Last Monday around 8pm, a murderer (20) with a gun started shooting wildly around Schwedenplatz. Four people were killed in the terrorist attack and 23 others were injured, some seriously. After about nine minutes, the author was deleted.

“Today” spoke to group inspector Christian H. (49), who was one of the first police officers to arrive on the scene and engaged in a gunfight with the terrorist. The 49-year-old policeman from central Vienna talks about the Vienna Night of Terror.

“That day I was on patrol with two colleagues, paying particular attention to traffic. At 8pm we were on our way to our civilian vehicle when we heard on the radio that the state control center was massively requesting sector vehicles for the first district – with the addition: man shooting around with a rifle. At the same time, the patrol cars of the district were instructed to drive to the place at the Bermuda Triangle, because there had been massive shootings there.

As soon as we were in our vehicle, an emergency stop was called. This means that all patrol cars must stop to put on heavy protective gear. However, as we were traveling in a traffic service vehicle, we did not have it on board. We soon heard on the radio that a colleague had been killed with an urgent call for help at Morzinplatz. Dozens, if not hundreds, of people were already on the run at that time. From that moment on we knew: Everyone here is in enormous mortal danger. It was clear to us that we would continue the mission at Morzinplatz.

In situations of terrorism and amok – at this point we were already aware that it had to be – a so-called “offender-oriented approach” is provided. You shouldn’t worry about the injured person, but mainly locate the offender to stop him as quickly as possible, or at least to tie him up locally.

When we arrived at the scene, we noticed the injured colleague who had already been shot in advance. We couldn’t take care of him because deep and boring bangs could be heard in the direction of the park. So we jumped out of our patrol car and leaned forward with the guns pointed at the perpetrator. For me it was clear: if he shoots, there must be people there. We sought shelter on Franz-Josefs-Kai, which later turned out to be a narrow tree and a plastic garbage can. At that moment, the offender entered our field of vision and addressed us. He wore white outerwear, a black beard, and had a long gun with him. Suddenly I realized: he won’t give up until he’s shot himself.

When he looked at us, he opened fire on us from about 60 meters. The three of us returned fire, forcing him to retreat to a corner. As we wore no protective clothing, we too cautiously retreated to distance ourselves. Unfortunately, there was still no adequate coverage.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw two fully equipped WEGA push teams advance. We retired to our vehicle. It was clear to me that the heavily armed professionals are now in place. For this reason we got into the car to stop the traffic in the Salztorbrücke area. After my colleagues and I were out of the immediate danger zone, we took on this task to calm ourselves down a bit after the fire exchange – and that was a good thing. Even when you know your life is in danger, it’s not easy to shoot someone. ”

How do you cope with fear?

The fear is there, but the focus is on the task. After the shooting the fear returns and you think: I could have died there now! With the exception of a colleague, we weren’t impressed with luck. But thanks to the police of the first district, we were able to detain the perpetrator so much that he could not leave in any direction. In retrospect, we wouldn’t have the courage to hide in a corner until he stopped shooting. If during that time he has killed or injured other people … (pause for reflection) a police officer will probably have difficulty dealing. So I couldn’t live with it.

How long did the firefight with the author last?

It seems it took about 1.5 minutes. The other colleagues who were there before us had been arguing for a while.

How did those 1.5 minutes feel?

(Pause for reflection) … this is how hell must feel. That’s exactly how you feel. At that moment I thought about my friend who was killed years ago. Instinctively I thought: no, not with me. They certainly won’t shoot me here. But you have to do it. This is what you get paid for. As in the training units, you go ahead in an offender-oriented way and you get a kind of tunnel vision. This is the policeman’s protective instinct to go where no one goes. It is instinct.

I later apologized to my colleagues for putting them in this danger. But they too agreed that they would do the same. It would have been more of a burden to us if we had gone into hiding and waited for the perpetrator to stop shooting.

Shortly before entering the vehicle, we became aware of a policeman, unknown to me, seeking protection on the ground. He was very young, maybe 21 years old, and fearful he told me he didn’t want to die. I’ll never forget his face. The fear of death on her face still affects me emotionally to this day. I managed to calm him down a bit before getting in the car. Unfortunately, I don’t remember what he did then.

When I retired, I told my colleagues to feel their way and see if they weren’t injured. In such a situation, the adrenaline might not even notice an injury. Fortunately, they both said no.

What was it like when you looked the author in the eye?

It was like he was looking me in the eye. I felt his face, I noticed his beard and his white clothes. He looked at us and fired from the hip. I knew we were here now and maybe we would be out of luck if they shot us. But we had to do something and we returned fire.

How are these inserts processed?

Everyone does it differently. I went to sleep at 7am at the police station for a few hours. Then I went to the crime scene with the criminal police. In the evening, two friends who are also with the police came to see me and I spoke to them about the operation. The next day, I returned to duty and over the weekend I returned to the crime scene. The great sympathy of the Viennese was so incredibly touching. The solidarity in the population made me a little happy, even in mourning for what happened. This helps.

When did you get in touch with your family?

At 9 pm, a colleague from Lower Austria wrote to me if I was okay. Soon after, I received over 70 messages from friends and family. At the Salztorbrücke we had some time with our colleagues to inform our relatives that we were unharmed.

Would you do something different today than you did that evening at Schwedenplatz?

If it happened again in my life, I would do the same. I have no other choice.