Maria Alm, Austria – A 34-year-old German woman was shot and killed early Saturday morning on a busy street in the quiet town of Maria Alm in Austria’s Salzburg region. The tragic incident happened around 12:40 a.m. in a central parking lot, where she had gone to meet her former partner, reported by Austria 24 News (OE24).
According to police, the suspected shooter is a 32-year-old man from Hungary who lives in the area. The two had agreed to meet for a conversation, but the meeting turned deadly. Witnesses from nearby homes reported hearing gunshots and quickly called the police. When officers arrived, the woman was already dead, and the suspect had fled.
Authorities believe the man likely came by car, but it’s unclear if he used the same vehicle to escape. A large-scale police search was launched immediately and was still ongoing as of Saturday afternoon.
Investigators have not confirmed the motive behind the killing, and reports that a friend of the victim may have been present remain unverified. The case is being handled by the state criminal investigation office.
Austria’s Women’s Minister, Eva-Maria Holzleitner, responded with strong words, saying, “Violence against women is not a private matter. It affects all of us. We must do more to protect women, offer faster help, and hold perpetrators accountable.”
This tragic case has once again brought attention to the issue of violence against women in Austria and the need for stronger protection and prevention measures.
