A gunman drove onto Main Market Square in Krakow on Saturday afternoon and fired at random at people in the historic center, killing six people and injuring more than a dozen others.1,4,7
Police said four women and two men were killed in the square, and two police officers were among the wounded. Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the rampage as terrorism, while the interior minister said everything suggests that he was fascinated by far-right ideologies.1,4,7
The number of people hurt has been reported differently. The BBC and DW put the number of injured in Krakow at 16, while NBC News and The Washington Times put it at 15 and the Washington Examiner said at least 12. The Washington Examiner said five people were killed in the square, while other outlets said six. Among the 16 injured cited by the BBC were five foreign nationals from Austria, Germany, Portugal, Russia and Britain.1,2,3,5,7
The attack began shortly before 15:00 local time, or 14:00 GMT, in the ornate square that has long drawn tourists. Police said the man began shooting from inside a vehicle he had driven into the square, and authorities later clarified that he drove to multiple spots and opened fire at each with an automatic weapon. The glass front of shops were shattered, a tram was shot at, and overturned tables and scattered belongings were left behind as people ran. Police said the attack lasted for around three minutes.1,7
Armed officers pursued the attacker's car until it crashed and then engaged him in a firefight a short distance from the initial shooting. Video authenticated by BBC Verify captured an injured officer confronting the suspect as he lay on the ground before the officer fell. Police said, "The perpetrator was shot by police officers and is currently being transported to a hospital," and he had undergone surgery and remained in hospital under arrest.1,4,7
Tusk later named the two wounded officers as Senior Constable Jakub Kulik and Senior Constable Artur Morański, saying they had "saved many lives" and calling them "true heroes." A Polish minister said one officer was fighting for his life and a second was expected to recover from a less serious injury. Police said on X, "At around 3 pm (1400 GMT), a man who had driven into the market square in a car began shooting at random people from inside the vehicle," adding that officers were among the wounded.1,7
The gunman wore full military tactical gear and was described as having a military-grade weapon, but the government said he was not a member of the Polish armed forces. More weapons and ammunition were found in a car belonging to the suspect, whose name has not been confirmed. DW, citing authorities, said the 25-year-old Polish man acted alone. Breitbart identified the suspect as a 24-year-old Polish man, differing from the age given by other outlets.1,7,8
Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński said, "everything suggests that he was fascinated by far-right ideologies" and that the suspect held "ultra-nationalist views." France 24 quoted Kierwinski as saying, "Everything suggests that the perpetrator held very, very radical views. A number of weapons were found in the car he was driving," adding that "everything suggests that he was fascinated by far-right ideologies." Tusk vowed that any "possible supporters of the perpetrator" would be detained and appealed to the public for information.1,4
Later, counter-terrorism police searching the suspect's home in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, around 125 miles (200km) away, found three more bodies, Tusk said. He said there were "strong indications" the two women and one man found there were the suspect's immediate family members. The Washington Times said two bodies were found in the home, differing from the figure of three given by other outlets.1,2,4,8
A massive armed police presence was deployed across Krakow on Saturday evening, as security measures were ramped up in the capital Warsaw and elsewhere. A period of mourning was declared in Krakow until 11 November. Polish police chief Marek Boron told reporters, "There are six fatalities: four women and two men; three Polish women, one British national, and two people who have not yet been identified," accounting for three Polish victims, one British victim and two people whose identities were not yet known.1,7
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said, "I'm shocked and saddened by the appalling shooting in Kraków today." He added, "My thoughts are with the families of those who have lost their lives, everyone injured and all those affected by this senseless violence. The United Kingdom stands in solidarity with the people of Poland," Tusk said, "Until now in Poland we haven't had such drastic cases of terrorism... that's what we have to call this cruel attack on people's lives here in Krakow."1,7
