A 25-year-old gunman with what Polish officials described as “very radical” far-right and ultra-nationalist views opened fire in Krakow’s historic Main Square on Saturday, killing six people and injuring 16 others.
The attack took place in the busy tourist square of Poland’s second-largest city. Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz described the shooting as an “act of terror” against the people of Krakow, while Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński said the suspect was fascinated by far-right ideologies.
The attacker, a Polish citizen, was armed with an automatic weapon and wore military-style clothing and a bulletproof vest, according to police. He reportedly moved through several parts of the square, firing at people and causing injuries at multiple locations.
Four women and two men were killed. Sixteen people were injured, including two police officers. One officer was seriously wounded, while 13 of the injured people were taken to hospital with serious injuries, Kierwiński said. One of those hospitalised was a foreign national.
Police said the gunman was shot and wounded during an exchange of fire with officers a short distance from where the shooting began. He was taken to hospital for surgery. Despite being injured, he continued firing at police, Krakow police spokesperson Katarzyna Cisło said.
Investigators also found several other weapons and ammunition inside the suspect’s car. Police said he had acted alone and that there was no continuing threat to the public.
The shooting also affected other parts of the city. A tram driver reported that a man in a moving car had fired at his vehicle near the Main Square, shattering the window of the driver’s cabin. Animal rights organisation OTOZ Animals said the attacker had also shot two horses used to pull tourist carriages. Both animals survived, although one was grazed by a bullet and the other was wounded in the leg.
Krakow Mayor Łukasz Gibała announced that the city would remain in official mourning until Wednesday, while assuring residents and visitors that the city would remain open.
Mass shootings are uncommon in Poland. Following the attack, Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski announced additional security measures, including road barriers along major streets in the capital’s Old Town.
