3 Dead as Man Shoots Family in Linz Gasthaus

Residents of the Austrian city of Linz were left shocked and grieving after a deadly shooting outside a local restaurant ended with three members of the same family dead in what police believe was a murder-suicide.

The tragedy unfolded on Thursday afternoon in the Urfahr district, an area on the northern side of the Danube River known for its quiet residential streets and traditional restaurants. Witnesses said the atmosphere changed in seconds as loud gunshots suddenly echoed through the area, sending restaurant guests and nearby pedestrians into panic.

Police and emergency services arrived within minutes after multiple emergency calls were made reporting shots fired outside the restaurant. When officers reached the scene, they discovered three people with fatal gunshot wounds in the restaurant parking area. Despite immediate emergency response efforts, all three victims were pronounced dead at the scene.

According to Austrian media reports, investigators believe the incident began when an elderly man opened fire on two female family members before turning the weapon on himself. The victims were later identified by local newspapers as the man’s wife and daughter. Authorities suspect the man intentionally ended the lives of his family members before taking his own life moments later with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Local reports stated that the suspected shooter was in his nineties. His wife was reportedly around the same age, while their daughter was believed to be approximately sixty years old. Officials have not yet formally released the identities of the victims while relatives are informed.

Police quickly secured the area after the shooting, blocking roads and setting up privacy screens around the crime scene. Armed officers remained at the location for several hours while forensic investigators collected evidence and interviewed witnesses. Authorities later confirmed that the firearm believed to have been used in the attack had been recovered at the scene.

Witnesses described scenes of confusion and fear as diners and nearby residents tried to understand what was happening. Some initially believed the sounds were fireworks or construction noises before realizing gunshots had been fired. Several people reportedly rushed into nearby buildings for safety while others attempted to help before police ordered the area evacuated.

A crisis intervention team was deployed to support witnesses, restaurant staff, and family members affected by the incident. Local authorities said the emotional impact on the community has been severe, particularly because such violent crimes are relatively rare in Austria. Flowers and candles were later placed near the scene as residents paid tribute to the victims.

Investigators are continuing to examine what may have motivated the attack. Austrian newspaper Kronen Zeitung reported that a possible dispute related to inheritance or family matters may have contributed to the tragedy, though police have not officially confirmed any motive. Officers are expected to review family records, interview relatives, and analyze evidence recovered from the scene in the coming days.

The shooting has once again raised questions in Austria about mental health, family violence, and firearm access among elderly gun owners. Although Austria has relatively strict gun laws compared to some countries, firearms remain legally owned by many citizens, particularly in rural regions and among older generations.

City officials in Linz expressed condolences to the victims’ relatives and thanked emergency responders for their rapid reaction. Police emphasized that there is no continuing threat to the public and said the investigation remains active as authorities work to fully reconstruct the events leading up to the deadly shooting.