KRAKOW, Poland — A horrific act of violence shattered the tranquility of Krakow’s historic Main Market Square on Saturday, as a lone gunman went on a shooting rampage, leaving six people dead and 16 others wounded.
The assailant, identified by authorities as a 25-year-old man, carried out a “wild ride” through the popular tourist destination, firing an automatic weapon at multiple locations. Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński described the attacker as an individual holding “very radical” and “ultranationalistic” views, stating that evidence suggests a deep fascination with far-right ideologies.
The tragedy deepened significantly late Saturday when police discovered three additional bodies—two women and one man—inside the suspect’s residence. Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed the victims were likely the shooter’s close family members, describing the discovery as a harrowing extension of the day’s violence.
The victims in the market square included four women and two men. Among the deceased were at least three Polish nationals and one U.K. citizen. Authorities are currently working to identify the remaining two victims. The 16 wounded included two police officers, one of whom remains in serious condition. At least 13 people are currently hospitalized, though officials noted that the gunman—who was shot and wounded by police during a confrontation—is among those receiving medical treatment.
According to police spokesperson Katarzyna Cisło, the suspect was dressed in military-style fatigues and wore a bulletproof vest. During his sweep of the square, he utilized a military-type long gun. When officers finally cornered the shooter a short distance from the initial scene, he continued to fire until he was neutralized and taken into custody. A subsequent search of his vehicle yielded a cache of additional weapons and ammunition.
Krakow Mayor Łukasz Gibała has declared an official period of mourning that will last until Wednesday. Despite the heartbreak, he remained defiant regarding the city’s future. “The square will belong to us again,” Gibała said in a video statement posted to social media.
While mass shootings are historically rare in Poland, the incident follows a tense period of rising interest in private firearm ownership and a recent cluster of school-related attacks in the Mazovia province last month.
The attack has sent shockwaves through the country, with President Karol Nawrocki expressing his grief for the victims and their families. As forensic teams continue to process the scene, the government has vowed a thorough investigation into the suspect’s background and the origins of the weaponry used. For now, the city remains under a heavy police presence, with officials confirming that the suspect acted alone and the public is no longer in danger.
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