Gunman Opens Fire in Kraków Market Square and Is Arrested After Police Shootout
Authorities are investigating the deadly vehicle-borne shooting as additional bodies are discovered at the suspect's residence.
A gunman in military-style attire opened fire from a vehicle on pedestrians in the Main Market Square of Kraków on Saturday, killing several people and wounding bystanders before being shot and apprehended by police.
Casualty reports from the scene varied as emergency services responded. Initial accounts reported two dead and at least 10 injured, while police later cited five dead and around a dozen wounded. Subsequent official assessments raised the toll to six dead and 16 wounded, including two police officers and foreign nationals. Most victims have not yet been formally identified, and investigators searching the suspect's residence later discovered three additional bodies believed to be family members.
The incident unfolded shortly before 3:00 p.m. in the heart of Kraków, situated approximately 250 kilometres (155 miles) south of Warsaw. Armed officers engaged the suspect—identified as a 25-year-old Polish citizen armed with an automatic weapon—in a brief gunfight, neutralizing him and seizing numerous weapons and ammunition from his vehicle.
During the arrest, officers used their weapons, but the man returned fire; as a result, two police officers are among the injured
Explaining the arrest, a police spokesperson stated: "During the arrest, officers used their weapons, but the man returned fire; as a result, two police officers are among the injured". Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk addressed the ongoing response, saying: "I am being kept regularly informed by the interior minister about the situation in Krakow after the tragic shooting. The police are examining the background and all the circumstances of the attack".
The full motive behind the mass shooting remains under active investigation, though officials indicated the suspect harboured radical far-right and ultra-nationalist views, with Poland's defence minister characterizing the assault as an act of terror.
Reuters, Al Jazeera English, France 24, Euronews, The Guardian, AP News, The Jordan Times, and BBC News reported the details used in this account.
