The Romanian citizen was still in the hospital, chief inspector Johann Baumschlager said on Monday. No further details were given. Investigations into the two accomplices “are in full swing,” emphasized the police spokesman. The three masked perpetrators broke into the residential building in the Weinviertel community around 1 a.m. on Wednesday.
The couple sleeping upstairs – a 71-year-old and his 50-year-old partner – were woken up by a noise, and the dog had also struck. The woman went to the basement where she confronted the intruders. One of the perpetrators attacked the 50-year-old with a metal object and knocked her to the ground.
Homeowner fired 3 shots
The 71-year-old came to the aid of his screaming partner and fired three shots from a legally owned handgun. A projectile hit the Romanian. The man remained wounded in the garden, was treated by arriving officers and ultimately arrested. After an operation at a state hospital, the state of health was considered stable. The 50-year-old was hit in the face during the attack and was treated as an outpatient in hospital. Her partner remained unharmed.
The investigation is being conducted by the Lower Austria State Criminal Police Office. In particular, the circumstances in which the shot was fired should also be determined. It is being examined whether the 71-year-old fired in self-defense.
