Polizist beim Joggen niedergestochen – Ex-WEGA: „Das hätte ich sein können

Summary

Former WEGA officer Tobias Oblak discusses a knife attack on a police officer who was jogging in Vienna’s Ottakring district. The officer had stopped to stretch when a stranger attacked him with a kitchen knife. According to the reports Oblak cites, the victim fought back and shouted for help. The knife blade broke, and the officer suffered serious cuts to his hands before being taken to hospital. Passersby noticed the attack, and police arrested a suspect shortly afterwards.

Accounts differed on whether the attacker had threatened the victim beforehand. The suspect reportedly confessed to the attack but did not explain a motive. He is under investigation for attempted murder and is presumed innocent unless convicted.

Oblak’s Perspective

Oblak says the incident affected him because he had lived, worked and run in the same area, and could imagine being caught similarly off guard. He stresses that knife attacks can happen suddenly and at close range, and that there are no reliable “movie-style” disarming techniques. Defensive injuries to the hands and arms may occur while trying to protect vital areas.

Practical Safety Advice

Oblak advises runners to stay aware of their surroundings, keep one ear free from headphones, avoid looking at a phone when stopped, and move away if something feels wrong.

If attacked, he recommends shouting for help, putting objects between oneself and the attacker, protecting the head, neck and torso, resisting if there is no escape, and running as soon as an opportunity appears. Afterwards, call for help and check for injuries, since adrenaline can mask bleeding.

Firearms and Responsibility

Oblak says he usually carries a firearm in Vienna under his firearms licence. He presents this as a personal choice and emphasizes that carrying a weapon involves serious legal and psychological responsibility, as well as regular training. He cautions that a firearm is not an instant solution in a close-range knife attack: survival, defence and creating distance come first.

Psychological Effects

Oblak notes that the psychological effects of an attack may persist after physical wounds heal. He encourages seeking support from colleagues or professionals, particularly for police officers who may feel pressure to suppress their reactions.

Presenter

• Tobias Oblak, former WEGA operator and trained operational and shooting instructor.