Six people were killed and at least 16 wounded in what appears to have been a lone-gunman attack in Krakow’s historic centre on Saturday, 7 November. Police discovered three more bodies hours later at the suspect’s family home, deepening the investigation into one of Poland’s deadliest mass shootings in decades.
Shortly after 3pm, the attacker drove a black Subaru into Main Market Square from Sławkowska Street while firing a rifle at passers-by and tourists. He continued through the historic centre, shooting at several locations, including at a tram near Plac Wszystkich Świętych and shattering the driver’s cabin window. Officers confronted him near the intersection of Stradomska and Dietla streets, shooting and arresting him after an exchange of fire.
The six victims included four women and two men. Three Polish women and a British national had been identified by Saturday evening. Five foreign nationals from Austria, Germany, Portugal, Russia and Britain were among the injured. Two police officers were seriously wounded.
Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński said preliminary findings suggested that the attacker was “fascinated by far-right ideologies” and held radical ultranationalist views. Security website Terroryzm.pl separately reported that he appeared to be wearing a Falanga symbol, associated with Poland’s ultranationalist right, during the attack.
Police have not yet shared information on the ideological background of the attack.
