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21. 08. 09. - 17:00

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21. 08. 09. - 17:00

Cops who gunned down teens are back to work

By Thomas Hochwarter

Two police officers who shot teenage burglars are back at work, officials in Lower Austria confirmed today (Fri).

Anton Haumer, a spokesman for the provincial police directorate, confirmed a report by Vienna newspaper Der Standard that had it that the cops – a man and a woman – were back on duty.

Haumer, however, stressed the pair was not working as "executive officers" but refused to reveal which tasks they were taking care of at the moment. Haumer also announced they were currently not working in Krems. His statements could mean that the officers are doing paperwork or administrative tasks.

The spokesman also said they were still attending sessions with a psychologist to overcome the traumatic events from the night of 4 to 5 August when they shot two teenage burglars in a supermarket in Krems. Fourteen-year-old Florian P. died from his injuries, while Roland T., 17, was severely injured after being hit in both thighs.

Investigations, meanwhile, are ongoing, and the officers – described as "rather young but experienced" by Krems police bosses – could face manslaughter charges.

It emerged only yesterday that prosecutors had decided to extend the detention Roland T. has been put in for a further four weeks.

Eva Taborsky, head state prosecutor at the court in Krems, said there was still a danger 17-year-old Roland T. could commit more crimes – despite that the teenager is still recovering from his wounds.

Austria Amnesty International (AI) head Heinz Patzelt lambasted the decision to extend the detention as a bid to prevent the boy from publicly giving his point of view. The teenager claims his friend Florian P. and he were on the run when the cops fired at them, while the officers in question told investigators they were about to be attacked. The pair’s "weapons" were found to be a screwdriver and a garden hoe.

There was public outrage when the case emerged over why the police officers had shot at the suspects instead of waiting for support or having the lights turned on at the Merkur supermarket. But many people also raised questions regarding the pals’ family backgrounds.

It was revealed that Roland T., who had a criminal record, had grown up in the Krems community of Lerchenfeld, which has been dubbed the town’s "ghetto" by some media and residents. Florian P., who also lived there, was buried last week.

Austrian Times

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