Man arrested after allegedly threatening children with blank-firing pistol

A 42-year-old man was arrested after allegedly threatening several children with a blank-firing pistol in a residential courtyard in Vienna’s Brigittenau district on Monday afternoon, ORF reported.

Adults at the scene intervened, took the pistol from the man and held him until emergency services arrived. Police also found a kitchen knife on him and seized both items.

A breath test showed an alcohol level of about 1.8 per mille. The man told police he could not remember the incident. A temporary weapons ban was imposed, and he remained in police custody on Tuesday.