Chainsaw attacker still at large in Switzerland

Chainsaw attacker, Franz Wrousis, is still at large. He attacked and injured five people with a chainsaw. [Courtesy of Pixabay]

It was a peaceful Monday morning at CSS, a Swiss health insurance company, in Schaffhausen, Switzerland. At 10:30 a.m., a man entered the office and started attacking people with a chainsaw. After injuring five people, he fled the building with the chainsaw. One of the employees was seriously injured but later declared to be in more stable condition. Four others were treated in the hospital and were discharged on the same day.

The attacker was later identified as 51-year-old Franz Wrousis. He allegedly had an insurance policy with CSS and reportedly lived in a forest.

Christina Wettstein, a CSS spokesperson, said in a statement, "The suspect targeted our company, he wanted to harm our employees", and added, "But we cannot say exactly what the motive was. All we know is he wanted to harm our employees."

CSS hired extra security guards to other offices in the region in case Wrousis tries to attack again. Schaffhausen in a historic town in northern part of Switzerland and is near the border to Germany.

Schaffhausen is a historic little town near a tour destination, Rhine Falls. It is a normally quiet and peacefull town. People at Schaffhausen are shocked at such an attack happened in their town. [Courtesy of Pixabay]

A massive manhunt began since Monday afternoon in both Switzerland and Germany near the border. The authorities found a white Volkswagen minivan that belonged to the attacker on Monday afternoon but there was no sign of Wrousis. As of July 25, Tuesday, Wrousis is still at large. The local authorities released a captured photo of Wrousis from a security camera in the area and asked for the public's help. In the photo, the attacker is wearing a green jacket and black pants and is carrying a big black bag, which may have the chainsaw used for the attack. The authorities described him as unstable and dangerous, so warned the public not to approach him and contact the authorities immediately.

Wrousis has a history of being arrested twice for illegal possession of weapons in 2014 and 2016 but did not get prison sentences.

Kwak, Min Jung = abiel@ajunews.com

KwakMin-jung abiel@ajunews.com

Chainsaw attacker still at large in Switzerland

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