A shooting in Krakow's Main Square has left six people dead and at least 15 injured, with Poland's interior minister saying the suspect appeared to have been inspired by far-right ideologies.
Marcin Kierwinski said the 25-year-old Polish national had been "shot and neutralised" by police after opening fire in the centre of Krakow on Saturday. The suspect remains in hospital in a serious condition and is undergoing a second operation, the minister confirmed.
Suspect's background and weapons
Responding to a reporter's question at a press conference, Kierwinski suggested one hypothesis is that the guns used in the attack were taken from the suspect's family home. He confirmed that several firearms are registered to the suspect's father, but said it is "too early" to draw conclusions.
He added that initial analysis indicated the suspect held "ultra-nationalist views", which Kierwinski noted still needed to be verified. He also disclosed that several firearms had been found inside the vehicle the suspect was driving, with searches still ongoing. The suspect's residence is also being examined as investigators work to determine what prompted the violent attack.
The attack and casualties
Krakow police confirmed that the gunman, initially reported to be 24 years old, drove around the Main Square opening fire at random members of the public from a moving vehicle. Four women and two men were killed, while at least 15 people were injured across a number of locations.
Two police officers were also struck by gunfire, with one left in a serious condition. Katarzyna Cislo, a spokesperson for Krakow police, said the attacker was wearing military-style fatigues and a bulletproof vest and had used a military-type long gun. She described the incident as a "wild ride" around the Main Square, explaining why victims were struck in various parts of the area.
Videos circulating on social media showed people fleeing the square and seeking shelter in nearby streets as emergency services raced to the scene. In one clip, a police officer could be seen firing repeatedly at the attacker as he lay on the ground. The suspect reportedly continued shooting at officers even after sustaining gunshot wounds himself.
Response and security measures
Mass shootings are rare in Poland, which has a population of approximately 37 million. Nevertheless, three attacks at schools in the central province of Mazovia occurred within four days in mid-October, leaving one person dead and several others wounded, including children.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed that police were investigating the attack and commended the officers who responded to the tragedy. President Karol Nawrocki also expressed his thoughts for the victims, the injured and their families. The US ambassador to Poland, Tom Rose, described the shooting as a "savage and murderous attack" which had shattered the peace of the country.
Around 15 million tourists visit Krakow every year, with most passing through the city's Main Square. In the wake of the attack, Warsaw mayor Rafal Trzaskowski announced heightened security measures in the Polish capital, including road barriers along key streets in the old town.
