Double murder in South Tyrol

What is known about the double murder in South Tyrol

On Sunday evening, a 48-year-old South Tyrolean man died after shooting his father, who was in need of care, and a neighbor. He had barricaded himself in an apartment and turned a gun on himself when the police stormed the apartment building.

Nothing more was known about his motive on Monday. The gunman possessed the pistol legally, reported South Tyrolean media. The man is said to have been unemployed and had previously worked as an employee of a security company. He lived in seclusion.

According to initial investigations, the 48-year-old may have first shot his father (90), who was in need of care, in San Candido on Sunday night. A neighbor (50) was startled by the noise and came out of her apartment. She was then also shot.

Police did not fire any shots
As reported, the suspected perpetrator then barricaded himself in his apartment. At around 10.30 a.m., special forces stormed the apartment building. They tried to negotiate with the 48-year-old - but to no avail. He only responded with shots. The officers themselves had not fired.

It had not been clear beforehand whether the man was alone in the attic apartment or had even taken hostages, the police and public prosecutor's office explained their actions on Monday. The public had been asked not to leave their homes during the operation.

After the incident, the man, whose father is said to have been a hunter, turned the gun on himself and suffered a life-threatening injury to his neck. He finally died in hospital in Bolzano on Sunday evening. 

The suicide prevention portal of the Ministry of Health offers help for people with suicidal thoughts and their relatives. Contact details for support facilities in Austria can be found at www.suizid-praevention.gv.at.