A gunman opened fire in Krakow’s historic square, leaving six dead—including a British citizen—and dozens wounded, while officials investigate far‑right motives.
On Saturday afternoon, just before 15:00 local time, a 25-year-old Polish man drove into Krakow’s Main Market Square and began discharging an automatic weapon at random passers-by. Witnesses reported hearing a rapid succession of shots, some resembling different firearms, as the shooter moved between several points in the square.
The attack unfolded in the heart of the city’s UNESCO-listed old town, a hub for tourists and locals alike.
Polish police units swiftly surrounded the vehicle and engaged the perpetrator in a gunfight that lasted roughly three minutes. The gunman was hit, sustained serious injuries and was escorted to a hospital for emergency surgery.
Police action prevented further casualties, but the scene was left scarred with bullet-pierced shop windows and shattered glass.
Casualties and injured persons
The tragedy claimed six lives: four women and two men. Among the dead were three Polish nationals, one British citizen, and two individuals whose identities have yet to be confirmed.
In a subsequent search of the suspect’s residence, located about 125 miles (200 km) from Krakow, authorities uncovered three additional bodies—identified as the attacker’s parents and his 21-year-old sister.
Sixteen people were taken to hospitals, including two police officers identified by Prime Minister Donald Tusk as Senior Constable Jakub Kulik and Senior Constable Artur Morański. Five of the injured were foreign nationals from Austria, Germany, Portugal, Russia and the United Kingdom. Krakow’s mayor, Łukasz Gibała, announced a period of mourning for the city that will continue until 11 November.
Suspect profile and possible motive
Police have confirmed the assailant’s age and nationality but have withheld his name. He was described as wearing military-style clothing and operating a military-grade firearm, though officials stressed he was not an active soldier. Investigators noted that the gunman possessed a firearms licence and that several weapons and ammunition caches were recovered from his car and home.
Early statements from the interior ministry and the defence minister suggest the shooter was driven by “far-right ideologies” and characterized the act as an “ultra-nationalist” terror incident. The suspect’s home in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski was searched by counter-terrorism officers, where the three family members were found dead, deepening the case’s complexity. The wounded gunman remains hospitalized as forensic analysis continues.
International reaction and diplomatic messages
Britain’s Prime Minister Andy Burnham expressed shock and sorrow, stating, “The United Kingdom stands in solidarity with the people of Poland.” Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband added that the UK government “deeply mourns” the British victim and all those affected. The FCDO issued guidance urging British nationals in Krakow to follow local authorities and monitor media updates.
Polish leaders, including Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, condemned the attack as a terrorist act and pledged thorough investigations. U.S. Ambassador to Poland Tom Rose, EU diplomat Kaja Kallas, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also issued statements of condolence, underscoring the broader international impact of the tragedy.
