Austrian official: Several injured, possibly dead in attack

VIENNA (AP) — The Austria Press Agency reported Monday that the country’s top security official says several people have been injured in an attack in the capital Vienna and there may be fatalities.

APA quoted Karl Nehammer as saying that authorities believe there were several attackers involved and that it was still ongoing. It earlier cited Nehammer’s office saying that one attacker was killed and another could be on the run.

Vienna police urged people to avoid all open spaces and public transport in the city. Police said trams and buses weren’t stopping and urged social media users not to post videos of the ongoing police operation, so as not to endanger officers.

“There are several injured persons,” police tweeted. “We are on site with all available forces. Please avoid all public squares in the city.”

Oskar Deutsch, the head of the Jewish community in Vienna, said the shooting took place in the street where the city’s main synagogue is located but that it wasn’t clear whether the house of worship had been targeted.

The synagogue was already closed at the time of the shooting around 8 p.m. (1900 GMT), Deutsch tweeted.

Rabbi Schlomo Hofmeister told The Associated Press that he saw at least one person fire shots at people sitting outside bars in the street below his window.

“They were shooting at least 100 rounds just outside our building,” Hofmeister said.

“All these bars have tables outside. This evening is the last evening before the lockdown,” he added. “As of midnight, all bars and restaurants will be closed in Austria for the next month and a lot of people probably wanted to use that evening to be able to go out.”

SportsPlus

News

West Stanly Middle School announces perfect attendance

News

Church hosts puppet ministry

News

Colleagues remember Van Sinderen for service to Albemarle, New London, hospital

News

Wine & Dine on the Rails returns to the N.C. Transportation Museum

News

Locust students try out new playground equipment

News

North Stanly player joins 1,000-point club

News

Atrium Health implements visitor restrictions to help protect patients

News

Richfield resident graduates from Carson-Newman

News

PEEKING INTO THE PAST: Anyone remember -7 degrees?

News

Family adopts highway, urges drivers to ‘pay attention’ after student’s death

News

Stanly school board choose early start calendar for second straight academic year

News

Need to get in shape? BBB has tips for joining a gym

News

Albemarle senior uses apprenticeship program to gain firefighting skills

News

National Weather Service issues winter storm warning

News

Tickets available for MLK Unity Prayer Breakfast

News

Misenheimer selects new police chief

News

Albemarle provides update on garbage, recycling collection

News

New 911 dispatch system continues to improve, director says

News

Taylor warns of cold weather dangers: space heaters, candles, carbon monoxide poisoning

News

Fundraisers ongoing to help families displaced by fire

News

Appalachian State University announces chancellor’s list

News

Teen arrested in Stanly County following murder of man in Columbia

News

Stanly County Chamber extends deadline for award nominations

News

Locust resident named to Bob Jones’ dean’s list