At least six people were killed and 15 others wounded on Saturday afternoon when a 24-year-old man drove into the historic Main Market Square in Kraków, Poland, and opened fire on pedestrians and a tram from a vehicle. Polish authorities stated the suspect was inspired by extreme right-wing ideology.
The Attack in the Historic Centre
The shooting began shortly after three o’clock on Saturday afternoon as the driver steered a black Subaru Impreza onto the bustling market square, according to NRC. Wearing military-style camouflage clothing and a bulletproof vest, the attacker fired an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle through his car window at random people, according to NOS. Witnesses reported scenes of panic as individuals fled across the cobblestones while a horse-drawn carriage raced past. The gunman proceeded deeper into the city centre and shot at a passing tram.
Regional authorities confirmed that six people—four women and two men—died during the assault. Fifteen others sustained injuries, including koetsiers, five foreign nationals, and two police officers, one of whom was left in critical condition with three gunshot wounds.
An officer stood guard near a cordoned-off area on the Main Market Square as the city remained enveloped in mist and cold weather, with police tape blocking central streets and heavily armed officers stationed on every corner while a few confused tourists walked about looking for their hotels, NRC reported.
Investigators Find Three Bodies During Family Home Search
Regional media identified the detained shooter as Michal O., a 24-year-old man from the town of Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski. Prime Minister Donald Tusk addressed the public during a briefing in Kraków, recalling how Poland was similarly shaken in 2019 when Gdańsk mayor Pawel Adamowicz was stabbed during a nationwide charity event and passed away from his injuries the following day, as noted by NRC. Investigators searched the family home in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski on Saturday evening, where they discovered the bodies of two women and one man. Police subsequently confirmed the deceased were the suspect’s parents and sister.
Neighbours expressed complete astonishment at the suspect’s actions. Another local resident told the medium Echo Dnia that he was such a normal boy, and information from the news website Interia confirmed that as a young teenager in 2013, he took third place in a school religious art competition.
Officers Intervene as Gunman Remains Hospitalised in Critical Condition
The gunman himself remains hospitalised in critical condition following surgery on Saturday evening, with a police spokesperson stating it will not be possible to interrogate him in the coming hours or days due to his medical state.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk travelled to Kraków and praised the courage of the officers who intervened. Regional officials announced a period of city mourning lasting through Wednesday, while police urged citizens to donate blood for the wounded officers.
Earlier coverage: Gunman Kills Six and Injures 15 in Krakow Shooting