A large-scale manhunt is currently in progress in the northern region of Austria following a shooting incident on October 28, believed to be the result of a hunting rights dispute. The incident resulted in the death of two individuals, including a local mayor, and left another injured, according to authorities.
The suspect, identified as 56-year-old Roland Drexler, is still on the loose and is considered to be “armed and extremely dangerous,” stated Ulrike Handlbauer, a police spokeswoman.
The incident took place in the Rohrbach district of Upper Austria, close to the Czech border. Franz Hofer, the mayor of Kirchberg ob der Donau, was discovered dead in a meadow about half a mile from a main highway in the village of Altenfelden.
Hofer, who has been the mayor of the approximately 1,000-resident town since 2008 and also served as the local hunting director, was one of the victims. The other individual, believed to be a current or former hunting official, was found in nearby Arnreit. The identity of the third person who was injured has not been revealed yet.
The violent incident is supposed to be linked to an ongoing conflict over hunting rights in the area. It has been reported that Hofer had recently lodged a complaint against Drexler for inappropriate hunting behavior.
People familiar with Drexler from the local hunting community have described him as a “problematic” figure, according to reports.
Austrian law enforcement has enlisted the help of EKO Cobra, a specialized elite unit, in their efforts to locate Drexler. Police helicopters have been deployed to monitor the area, while residents have been advised to stay indoors.
“I knew Franz Hofer very well personally. It is unbelievable what is happening right now,” expressed Herbert Sieghartsleitner, the State Hunting Master.
The crime scenes and surrounding areas have been completely cordoned off as the search for the suspect continues. Police have set up a security perimeter and are conducting an organized search of the entire area.