Six people were killed and 15 others injured when a gunman opened fire on crowds from a moving vehicle in the historic center of Krakow on November 7, 2026. Police wounded and arrested the suspect at the scene, while officials in the Polish city declared a period of official mourning lasting through November 11.
The violence erupted at approximately 15:00 local time on the Main Market Square (Rynek Główny), one of Europe’s largest medieval squares and a major tourist hub near the historic St. Mary’s Basilica. According to regional emergency services and local authorities, the assailant drove through the bustling area in a black Subaru vehicle, discharging a military-grade long-gun indiscriminately at random pedestrians. Among the 15 wounded victims were two police officers who responded to the attack.
Intervention and Arrest at the Scene
Eyewitness accounts and police reports detail the rapid intervention of law enforcement on the streets. As the vehicle moved toward the intersection of Dietla and Stradomskie streets, officers engaged the driver.
The suspect sustained gunshot wounds during the exchange and was taken to a hospital under police guard, where he underwent surgery. Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński praised the immediate response of the officers on duty, noting that thanks to their heroic actions, the attacker was quickly detained. Two officers sustained injuries during the gunfight, with one suffering a single gunshot wound and another taking three rounds, leaving the latter in very serious condition, according to the Ministry of Interior. Hubert Ciepły, a spokesperson for the fire service in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship, stated that the man opened fire on bystanders from a car driving from Sławkowska Street. Meanwhile, Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek added that prosecutors and police officers worked at the scene gathering evidence and determining the circumstances of the event. Regional head Krzysztof Klęczar specified that 12 individuals remained in severe condition.
Death Toll Rises as Gunman Targets Public Transit
The death toll rose from an initial count of two up to six victims after one person succumbed to injuries in the hospital, police and regional authorities confirmed. The fatalities comprised four women and two men, while the 15 injured individuals received emergency care, with a medical helicopter landing directly on the square to evacuate the most critical patients.
‼️ I Republika podaje, że sprawca dzisiejszych wydarzeń w Krakowie został zatrzymany przez policję prawdopodobne został zastrzelony. Spójrzcie jak on wyglądał. Z karabinem szturmowym? To wygląda to wszystko jak zamach! Dlaczego służb praktycznie nie było na miejscu? pic.twitter.com/X4cvWmskZT
During the rampage, the gunman also targeted public transit. The Krakow Municipal Transport Enterprise reported that tram number 1 was fired upon while crossing All Saints’ Square. A bullet shattered the driver’s cabin window, though neither the operator nor any passengers inside the carriage sustained injuries.
Suspect Profile and Weaponry Recovered
Police identified the detained gunman as a 24-year-old Polish citizen originating from the city of Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski. Investigative reporting by Onet and Interia revealed that the Subaru used in the attack was registered to his 52-year-old father, a resident of the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship who legally owned 11 firearms. Sources in the Ministry of National Defense indicated that the suspected attacker was a former military serviceman. Law enforcement officials stated that the assailant wore military fatigues and carried a long-range military-style weapon, while a large cache of additional arms and ammunition was discovered inside his vehicle.
Authorities officially dismissed initial speculation regarding a second gunman, confirming that the single known perpetrator was in police custody. Prime Minister Donald Tusk and President Karol Nawrocki monitored the situation closely alongside security services, with Head of the National Security Bureau Bartosz Grodzki dispatched to Krakow. President Nawrocki expressed deep concern over the tragic events and demanded all circumstances be clarified, while Prime Minister Tusk noted via social media that law enforcement was examining the background of the attack.
Mayor Declares Official City Mourning Period
In response to the tragedy, Mayor Łukasz Gibła announced a period of official city mourning across Krakow extending until November 11. Municipal directives mandate the lowering of state flags, the cancellation or postponement of entertainment events, and restrictions on public broadcasts as the community responds to the mass shooting.