At Least Six Dead in Shooting at Krakow's Main Square
An armed man opened fire on passersby and tourists in Krakow's Main Square on Saturday, November 7. At least six people were killed and more than fifteen were wounded, and police found three more bodies at the suspect's home.
Key points
- An armed man opened fire indiscriminately on passersby and tourists in the main square of Krakow, in southern Poland, on Saturday afternoon.
- The attack left at least six dead and more than fifteen wounded, several of them in critical condition.
- Police found the bodies of two women and a man in the detainee's home. Prime Minister Donald Tusk believes they are probably close relatives of the suspect.
- Interior Minister said the attacker, 25, was fascinated by far-right ideas, a hypothesis that still needs thorough investigation.
- Poland declared two days of national mourning, Sunday and Monday.
What happened
On Saturday, November 7, in the afternoon, an armed man opened fire indiscriminately on passersby and tourists in the main square of Krakow, one of Poland's most visited historic centers and the country's second-largest city. Police reported at least six people dead and more than fifteen wounded. The attacker was arrested after a confrontation with officers, who also wounded him.
That same night, police entered the suspect's home in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, a town in Świętokrzyskie province located between 150 and 200 kilometers from Krakow, according to published reports. Authorities had suspected that the house might contain explosive devices. Instead, they found the bodies of two women and a man. Prime Minister Donald Tusk said at a press conference that the victims are probably close relatives of the suspect, and that police, security agencies and prosecutors will do everything possible to quickly clarify the shooter's motives.
According to Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński, the attacker is a 25-year-old Polish national who was fascinated by far-right ideas. Kierwiński asked that this hypothesis be thoroughly investigated. The suspect had a legal gun license and no police record. During the attack he wore a military uniform and carried extra ammunition. Several of the wounded remain in critical condition, including an officer who was shot three times.
Context
Krakow is one of Poland's most visited cities, so the attack happened in a crowded space filled with residents and travelers. According to authorities, many of the victims were simply strolling through the center when the shooting began.
The victims' nationalities also shape how the case is being read. At least one of the dead is believed to be a foreigner, and five of the wounded are from other countries, one of them from Portugal. The Brazilian government expressed condolences to Poland and to the victims' families, and said it had no information so far about Brazilians among the dead or wounded. The Spanish government condemned the attack.
The case also has a political dimension. The interior minister raised a possible far-right motive, but authorities have not yet confirmed a motive. For now, the exact relationship between the attacker and the three people found in his home is also unknown.
What's next
Tusk said the government will seek to reveal the attacker's motives as soon as possible. Prosecutors and security agencies are investigating the circumstances of the attack and of the three deaths at the Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski home. Poland will observe two days of national mourning, Sunday, November 8, and Monday, November 9, to honor the victims. The critically wounded will determine the final death toll in the coming hours.
FAQ
Who is the attacker?
According to Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński, he is a 25-year-old Polish national who was fascinated by far-right ideas. He had a legal gun license and no police record. Authorities are still investigating his motive.
Were there foreigners among the victims?
At least one of the dead is believed to be a foreigner, and five of the wounded are also from other countries, one of them from Portugal. The Brazilian government said that, up to that point, it had no record of Brazilian citizens among the victims.
When will the national mourning take place?
Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced two days of national mourning, Sunday and Monday, to honor the victims of the attack.
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