Polish prosecutors have opened a formal terrorism investigation into the Krakow mass shooting that killed six people and injured 16, as authorities identified the victims and praised the police officers who confronted the gunman. The suspect, a Polish man in his mid-20s described as holding “ultranationalist” and far-right views, remains in critical condition.
The attack took place Saturday afternoon in Kraków’s historic Main Market Square, a major tourist destination. The suspect drove into the square and fired at random from a car, police said. He appears to have used an AR-15-style rifle. Police shot and wounded him after a rampage that lasted around three minutes, during which shop windows were shattered and a tram was shot at.
Of the six killed, three were Polish women aged 47, 53 and 61; a 32-year-old British man; a foreign woman whose nationality has not been announced; and a Polish man in his 50s. Of the 16 injured, 11 were Polish nationals. The interior ministry said citizens of the UK, Austria, Germany, Russia and Portugal were among the dead and injured. Two police officers were among the injured, one critically.
The two officers, Senior Constable Jakub Kulik and Senior Constable Artur Morański, confronted the suspect. Małopolska governor Krzysztof Klęczar called them heroes, saying the number of victims could have been significantly higher without their intervention. Surgeons Michał Pędziwiatr and Mateusz Wierdak, who were dining nearby, provided emergency care. Pędziwiatr said Wierdak’s actions in stopping the bleeding “undoubtedly saved” Kulik’s life. A public fundraiser for the officers and their families had raised more than 3.5 million złoty (€777,000) by Sunday, and a blood drive was overwhelmed by volunteers.
Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński said “everything indicates that he was fascinated by far-right ideologies.” The suspect, identified only as Michał O. under Polish privacy law, held a firearms licence and used military-style weapons and attire. Police recovered multiple weapons and ammunition from his car. A shooting club in Starachowice said the suspect had never received dynamic, tactical or combat shooting training there.
The bodies of a man and two women, believed to be the suspect’s parents and sister, were found at his home in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski on Saturday. Prosecutors said evidence indicates the same person committed the acts in both places.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk called the attack an act of terrorism, saying “Until now in Poland we haven’t had such drastic cases of terrorism … that’s what we have to call this cruel attack on people’s lives.” He appealed to politicians not to exploit the tragedy. President Karol Nawrocki declared two days of official mourning, and Kraków is in mourning until 11 November.
Witnesses described scenes of panic. One man told Polish news website Interia: “I saw shots being fired from the driver’s side window, and smoke was coming out. I ran to the police station in the main market square; when I burst inside, it was full of people hiding on the floor.”
The attack is Poland’s first mass public shooting of this type in a country with low gun ownership. Around 411,000 people hold gun permits in Poland, which has a population of 37 million. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he was “shocked and saddened” and expressed solidarity with the Polish people.
The front page in your inbox each weekday morning: the lead, the picks, and why each one earned its place.
§
Analysis
Why This Matters
Poland’s first mass public shooting challenges the country’s low gun crime record and raises questions about extremist radicalisation and gun control.
The terrorism classification could lead to shifts in security policy and intelligence priorities.
The targeting of a popular tourist spot may affect travel to Kraków and perceptions of safety.
Background
Gun crime is rare in Poland, with about 411,000 licensed gun owners in a population of 37 million. The attack on Saturday stunned a nation unaccustomed to such violence.
The suspect, a Polish man in his mid-20s, drove into Kraków’s Main Market Square, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and opened fire. He was subdued by police after a brief exchange.
Key Perspectives
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk: Called the attack an act of terrorism, said it was the first case of its kind, and appealed for calm and unity.
Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński: Said the suspect held “ultranationalist” views and was “fascinated by far-right ideologies.”
Małopolska governor Krzysztof Klęczar: Praised the two police officers as heroes whose intervention saved lives.
Surgeon Michał Pędziwiatr: Said his colleague’s actions “undoubtedly saved” officer Kulik’s life.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham: Expressed shock and solidarity, saying the UK stands with the people of Poland.
What to Watch
The suspect’s medical condition and whether he will face trial.
Potential reforms to firearms licensing and counter-terrorism measures in Poland.
Further investigation into possible far-right networks linked to the suspect.
12 claims in this story checked against 6 sources: 7 supported.
Show each claim
SupportedProsecutors opened a terrorism investigation.Notes from Poland: “Polish prosecutors have announced the opening of a terrorism investigation following Saturday’s attack”
SupportedThree bodies found at the suspect’s home were believed to be his parents and sister.Notes from Poland: “Later, three further bodies – believed to be the perpetrator’s parents and sister – were found in his home.”
SupportedInterior Minister Marcin Kierwiński said initial findings indicated the suspect had “very radical far-right views.”Notes from Poland: “interior minister Marcin Kierwiński announced that initial findings indicate the suspect had “very radical far-right views”.”
SupportedThe suspect was “fascinated by far-right ideologies.”World news | The Guardian: “The interior minister, Marcin Kierwiński, said the suspect, who was apprehended and taken to hospital after being wounded in an exchange of fire with police, was fascinated with far-right ideologies”
Reports differThe suspect was 24 years old.BBC News: “the suspect - a 25-year-old Polish citizen”
SupportedSixteen people were injured in the attack.Notes from Poland: “A further 16 people were injured in the attack, 11 of them Polish.”
Not in the sourcesThe gunman apparently used an AR-15-style rifle.US Top News and Analysis: “The attacker wore military-style fatigues and a bulletproof vest, and used a military-type long gun, Krakow police spokesperson Katarzyna Cisło said.”
SupportedProsecutors said, “the evidence indicates that the same person committed the acts” in Krakow and Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski.Notes from Poland: “Prosecutors say that “the evidence indicates that the same person committed the acts” in both Kraków and Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski.”
Not in the sourcesJakub Kulik was a former soldier from the elite 6th Airborne Brigade.BBC News: “Tusk later named them as Senior Constable Jakub Kulik and Senior Constable Artur Morański”
SupportedGovernor Krzysztof Klęczar said, “If it weren’t for the efficient and selfless intervention of these two young men, the number of victims could have been significantly higher.”STV News: “Krzysztof Jan Kleczar, the Malopolska regional governor, said on Sunday: “If it weren’t for the efficient and selfless intervention of these two young men, the number of victims could have been significantly higher.””
Not in the sourcesA public fundraiser had raised over 3.5 million zloty (€777,000).
Correction
An earlier version of this story described both wounded police officers as critically injured. Only one was critically injured. It also inaccurately quoted Governor Krzysztof Klęczar, whose quotation has been corrected, and included an unsupported quotation attributed to Professor Michał Pędziwiatr, which has been removed.