Vienna teenager faces trial over air rifle shooting

ORF reports that a 15-year-old is facing trial at Vienna’s criminal court on Friday for allegedly shooting a girl with an air rifle in the Favoriten district on 1 August.

The accused allegedly fired from a window into the courtyard of a residential complex on Gudrunstraße. The girl, also 15, was in the courtyard with friends when she was hit in the left arm.

Witnesses helped police identify the apartment from which the shot was fired. Officers found two teenagers, aged 15 and 17, inside. After initially refusing to cooperate, they admitted that the younger teenager had shot at the girl with an air rifle. Both were provisionally arrested.

The proceedings against the 17-year-old were discontinued. The younger teenager is now facing trial. Neither teenager disclosed a possible motive.

During a search of the apartment, police found the air rifle, several combat knives, batons and a wire garrote.