A 24-year-old Polish man opened fire in Main Market Square on Saturday, killing six people and injuring 15 others before police shot and apprehended him.
Kraków Shooting and Police Shootout
The attacker drove into the historic square on Saturday, wearing military-style clothing and a bulletproof vest. He opened fire at random with a semi-automatic rifle fitted with a device to improve shooting accuracy. Police officers reached the scene and returned fire.
The gunman fled toward an intersection, where his car collided with another vehicle. He stepped out and continued shooting at officers before being struck and subdued. He died at 4:30 a.m.
Two officers involved in the confrontation were wounded. Interior ministry officials identified one of them as Jakub Kulik, praising the intervention for preventing further casualties.
Jakub Kulik, who without hesitation confronted an armed attacker.
Interior ministry
Six People Died and Fifteen Were Injured
The six individuals killed in the square included four women and two men, according to regional officials. Among the dead were a British national and an Austrian woman, while the remaining four victims were Polish citizens. Fifteen people sustained injuries during the shooting, including foreign nationals from Austria, Britain, Germany, Portugal, and Russia.
Poland has launched a terrorism probe as mourners brought candles and flowers to Krakow’s Main Market Square in tribute to six people killed by a gunman who authorities said was “fascinated by far-right ideologies.” pic.twitter.com/2WUWXN8SHU
Investigators examining the suspect’s family home in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, located about 150 kilometers northeast of Kraków, discovered three more bodies using a drone. Police confirmed the deceased were the gunman’s mother, father, and sister, who investigators believe died from gunshot wounds.
Terrorism Investigation and Extremist Ideology
The National Prosecutor’s Office opened an investigation into the killings and attempted murders, classifying the assault as a terrorist offense. Prosecutors and regional investigators seized electronic devices from the suspect's home and are examining how he acquired seven firearms and a large amount of ammunition.
Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński stated that initial findings indicated the attacker held very radical views. Authorities said he was fascinated by far-right ideologies and was a member of a shooting club alongside his father.
Government Declares Mourning as Police Strengthen Security
In response to the tragedy, the government declared two days of national mourning.
Mourners left candles and floral tributes in the Main Market Square. Police in Warsaw said they were strengthening security measures in busy areas popular with tourists following the attack, while blood donation centers received an influx of volunteers seeking to help the wounded officers.
Recent events – not just this one, but things happening lately – are really affecting our sense of security.
Maria, cafe employee, via Rte
The Interior Ministry announced two national days of mourning, as regional officials, international bodies, and world leaders expressed shock and offered condolences. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the shootings and extended condolences to the government and people of Poland through his spokesman. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the shooting a shocking crime and stated that his country stands in solidarity with neighboring Poland. British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband expressed deep mourning for the British national and other victims, affirming that the United Kingdom stands resolutely in solidarity with the Polish people. Tom Rose, the ambassador of the United States in Poland, wrote that as Poland mourns the victims, U.S. Donald Trump and America mourn them together with the country, emphasizing that such drastic violence is alien to Polish society. Malopolska regional governor Krzysztof Jan Klęczar praised the efficient and selfless intervention of the officers.
The profound depth of Poland's shock at the horror of yesterday's appalling mass murder in Krakow is truly remarkable to behold. Violence on this scale isn't just unheard of here, it's unthinkable and utterly alien to the Polish national character. Poland is so extraordinarily…
To honor the deceased, the hourly trumpet melody from St Mary’s church in the square was halted for a half-day period, according to a report by the PAP state news agency. Regional police stated that the perpetrator of the tragic events died in the hospital Monday morning after being wounded in the shootout and placed in critical condition. Eryk Stasielak from the Krakow branch of the national prosecutor’s office explained that investigators are working to determine if the attacker was inspired by anyone or received outside help, noting that autopsies of the victims began on Monday.
Marek Boroń provided details during a briefing with the prime minister regarding the identities of the deceased and wounded. Witnesses in the square described running for their lives and hiding in nearby shops as the shooting unfolded, while local residents and tourists laid flowers and candles at cordoned-off sites around the historic center.
Informujemy, że sprawca tragicznych wydarzeń zmarł dzisiaj nad ranem w szpitalu.
An opinion piece published by the prominent daily newspaper Rzeczpospolita remarked that the mass shooting shattered the long-standing perception of Poland as a safe haven.
Earlier coverage: Kraków Shooting Kills Six as Police Investigate Terrorist Links
