Armed Manhunt Underway in Austria After Local Mayor and Another Killed Over Hunting Dispute

Rohrbach, Austria — Austrian authorities have mounted a massive manhunt for a 56-year-old suspect following a fatal shooting in Upper Austria’s Rohrbach district near the Czech border, resulting in the death of a local mayor and a second individual, with a third person injured. The incident, which occurred on Monday morning, is reportedly linked to a dispute over hunting rights.

The suspect, identified as Roland Drexler, is still at large and has been described by police spokesperson Ulrike Handlbauer as “armed and extremely dangerous.” Law enforcement agencies, including EKO Cobra, an elite special forces unit, have been actively searching the area with assistance from helicopters.

The tragic shootings claimed the life of Franz Hofer, the mayor of Kirchberg ob der Donau and the local hunting director. Hofer was found dead in a meadow near Altenfelden, approximately half a mile from a major highway. The small town, home to about 1,000 people, has been left reeling by the sudden violence. The second fatality, a current or former hunting official, was discovered in the nearby town of Arnreit. Details concerning the third victim, who was injured in the attacks, have not been released.

This violent outburst is believed to stem from a longstanding feud over regional hunting privileges. Recent reports suggest that Hofer had filed a formal complaint against Drexler, accusing him of “unhuntsmanlike behavior,” which allegedly aggravated the situation.

Sources within the hunting community have labeled Drexler as problematic, which may have contributed to the escalating tensions leading up to the incident. Herbert Sieghartsleitner, the State Hunting Master, expressed his dismay, remarking on his personal relationship with Hofer and the profound shock this incident has caused: “I knew Franz Hofer very well personally. It is unbelievable what is happening right now.”

In response to the shootings, police have established a security perimeter around the areas of interest, and a detailed search of the region is being conducted. Citizens in the vicinity have been urged to remain indoors as a precaution while the search for Drexler continues.

The deaths highlight not only the personal tragedy for the families involved but also a broader concern over how disputes related to hunting rights, which are deeply rooted in local tradition and economy, can escalate to such fatal outcomes.

The community, authorities, and local officials are pressed with the task of navigating the sensitive aftermath of this tragedy, emphasizing the need for mediation in conflicts that arise in such close-knit circles. While police continue their active search for Drexler, the broader implications of the incident will likely reverberate through regional discussions on how to manage and regulate hunting practices to prevent future such occurrences.