Hunter Kills Mayor In Austria Shooting Spree: 'It's Madness'

A manhunt is underway in northern Austria after a hunter killed the mayor and another person in an apparent dispute about hunting rights.

Roland Drexler, 56, allegedly shot Franz Hofer, mayor of Kirchberg ob der Donau, in Altenfelden, a region near Austria's border with Germany and the Czech Republic.

The other person's identity has not been released to the public.

Ulrike Handelbauer, a spokesperson for the Upper Austria police department bulletin warned that Drexler is "likely to be extremely dangerous and armed." A large police operation with helicopters and special forces is underway.

According to authorities, Drexler fled the scene in a Volkswagen Caddy van.

A dispute over hunting rights appeared to have sparked the incident, but no clear motive was given as to why the long-running feud escalated, CNN reported.

Drexler is known locally as a difficult figure in the hunting in Altenfelden, Kronen Zeitung, a local news outlet reported.

Florian Hiegelsperger, the state party leader of the People's Party (OVP) said "It's madness," the Mirror reported.

Herbert Sieghartsleitner, the state hunting master, described the shooting as "unbelievable."

"I am deeply shocked by what has happened," Sieghartsleitner said. "I knew Franz Hofer very well personally."