“We are victims of a despicable terror attack in the federal capital that is still ongoing,” Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said moments after the gunfire happened.
“One of the perpetrators was neutralized, but several perpetrators appear to still be on the loose,” he said. “They seem to also, as far as we know, be very well equipped, with automatic weapons. So they were very well prepared."
A woman injured in the attack in central Vienna on Monday night also reportedly succumbed to her wounds, bringing the civilian death toll to two, Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig told broadcaster ORF.
Police said that several shots were fired shortly after 8 p.m. (1900 GMT) on an active street in the city center and that there were six shooting locations. Unproved footage posted on social media showed gunmen walking through the streets, apparently shooting at people at random, injuring many.
WATCH: JIMMY FALLON MOCKS UPCOMING PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE
The cause is under investigation, but Kurz said the possibility that it was an anti-Semitic attack cannot be negated, given that the firing began outside Vienna's main synagogue. The synagogue was closed at the time.
Interior Minister Karl Nehammer told public broadcaster ORF that the army had been asked to secure key locations in the city to allow police to track the gunmen.
WATCH: THE FASCINATING STORY OF BRIDGETTE GABRIEL
Kurz commended the police for killing one of the attackers and pledged: “We will not never allow ourselves to be intimidated by terrorism and will fight these attacks with all means."
Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig said 15 people were hospitalized, seven with serious damages.
TRUMP STAGES HUGE RETURN TO NEW YORK, SEE WHERE, WHEN AND HOW!
Oskar Deutsch, the head of the Jewish community in Vienna, said it was not clear whether the main synagogue had been targeted.
Rabbi Schlomo Hofmeister said he saw at least one person shoot at people sitting outside at bars in the street below his window. “They were shooting at least 100 rounds just outside our building,” Hofmeister said.
“All these bars have tables outside. This evening is the last evening before the lockdown,” he added. “As of midnight, all bars and restaurants will be closed in Austria for the next month, and a lot of people probably wanted to use that evening to be able to go out.”
Authorities in Vienna advised people to avoid all open spaces and public transportation. Police said trams and buses were not stopping and prompted social media users not to post videos of the police operation so as not to jeopardize officers.
Discover alternative ideas that will make you think
Engage in mind bending debate
Earn points, rise in rank, have fun
