In the morning, the 27-year-old was still successful in an operation, he helped find a missing pensioner. Just a few hours following the woman from Graz, who was considered confused, was found, the young officer was dead: he died in a gunshot accident while training in the Styrian state police headquarters on Wednesday – he was shot and fatally injured.
“I am deeply affected by the tragic accident and the death of my young colleague,” said State Police Director Gerald Ortner, expressing his condolences to the officer’s relatives and friends. “My condolences go out to the young comrade’s family at this time.”
Tragic accident: Shot from a service weapon
The 27-year-old started his training in December 2019 and has only been on duty at the on-call unit since the beginning of the month. A tragic accident occurred on Wednesday followingnoon during an exercise by this unit: the 27-year-old was shot from a service weapon during training.
The first reports that a police student should have confused weapons were not confirmed on Wednesday evening.
Karner wants “comprehensive clarification”
Interior Minister Karner also spoke up. “DThe tragic, terrible death of the young police officer in Styria today affects me deeply. At this difficult time, my thoughts are with the family and loved ones, to whom I extend my heartfelt condolences. The circumstances that led to the death of this young colleague must be fully investigated together with the judiciary and the authorities and be fully clarified” according to Gerhard Karner.
