A deadly Krakow shooting on November 7 has left six people dead and at least 15 injured after a gunman opened fire on pedestrians in the Main Market Square. Police have detained the shooter. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has already termed the incident a terrorist attack. It is the first mass shooting in the country’s modern history.
Timeline of the Krakow shooting
The shooting began around 3:00 p.m., when the square, popular with both tourists and locals, was crowded. According to witnesses and police reports, a man dressed in military fatigues began firing indiscriminately into the crowd from his car window using a military-style weapon. Krakow’s public transport company reported that a tram passing All Saints Square was also struck by gunfire.
The shooter fled the scene immediately after the attack. Police launched a manhunt, deploying tactical units and medical helicopters. Roughly two hours later, officers tracked down and boxed in the suspect’s vehicle. The driver resisted violently and opened fire on patrol officers. Two officers were wounded during the shootout, with one hospitalized in critical condition. Police returned fire, discharging approximately seven rounds and wounding the suspect. He was subdued on the sidewalk and transported to a hospital under armed escort.
What is known about the shooter
The attacker wore a Polish army uniform, body armor, and a helmet. He was armed with an AR-15/M4-style semi-automatic rifle equipped with an optical sight. Investigators found additional firearms and ammunition inside his vehicle. The suspect’s motive remains unknown.
Police officially confirmed that the suspect is a 24-year-old Polish national residing in the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship. His name has not been released due to the ongoing investigation. According to the news outlet Onet, the vehicle used in the attack is registered to the suspect’s 52-year-old father. Journalists found that the father holds a valid firearms license and keeps an arsenal of 11 guns at home. Neither father nor son had any prior criminal record or previous contact with law enforcement.
Mourning
Following the tragedy, Mayor of Krakow Łukasz Gibała declared an official citywide period of mourning through November 11. Municipal services and medical personnel continue to assist the victims and the families of those killed in the attack. European leaders have conveyed their condolences to the victims’ relatives on behalf of their citizens.
Statement from NEWSROOM IN
The tragedy in Krakow has deeply shaken us. Our editorial team extends its sincere condolences to the families of those killed in this senseless attack on the Main Market Square and wishes a full recovery to all the wounded, including the police officers who confronted the attacker.
For us, Poland is not just a neighboring state, but a nation for which we hold great respect and genuine affection. In these difficult days of mourning, we stand in full solidarity with the Polish people, sharing in this loss.
