At least two people were killed and several injured in an attack in front of the main synagogue in Austria’s capital, Vienna on Monday night, in what police authorities and the government treat as a terrorist attack. 

One attacker was arrested and another shot dead by police officers. 

Police reports confirmed that several shots have been fired from several suspects with rifles. Through Twitter posts, Vienna’s police urged citizens to refrain from sharing footage of the scene on social media and to avoid all public places or public transport. 

The shooting began at about 8pm, with shots fired in six different location, according to the reports. 

CONFIRMED at the moment:
*08:00 pm: several shots fired, beginning at Seitenstettengasse
*several suspects armed with rifles
*six different shooting locations
* one deceaced person, several injured (1 officer included)
*1 suspect shot and killed by police officers

— POLIZEI WIEN (@LPDWien)

Oskar Dutch, the head of Austria’s Jewish Religious community, tweeted that it is still unclear if the Seitenstettengasse synagogue was the target of the perpetrators, citing that the building and its office next door were closed at the time of the attack.

EU Council President, Charles Michel condemned the attack, describing it as a “cowardly act that violates life and our human values.” Expressing his solidarity with Austria, Michel also tweeted:

“My thoughts are with the victims and the people of Vienna in the wake of tonight’s horrific attack. 

The European Parliament President, David Sassoli echoed Michel’s views, adding that “Across our continent, we stand united against violence and hate.”