Six people died and 16 others were wounded when a gunman opened fire with an automatic weapon in Krakow’s main market square at approximately 3pm on Saturday. Polish authorities apprehended the suspect, a 25-year-old citizen, after he engaged in a "wild ride" around the square that scattered victims across multiple locations. Interior Minister Marcin Kierwinski described the attacker as holding "very radical" and "ultra-nationalistic" views. The defense minister labeled the incident an "act of terror," while Prime Minister Donald Tusk noted that investigators found the bodies of three family members inside the suspect’s home in Ostrowiec Swietokrzyski, located about 90 miles north-east of the city center.
Victims and Response Details
Police confirmed four women and two men among the dead, including one British citizen named Jonathan Balshaw, who was with his girlfriend near St Mary’s basilica during the attack. Five foreign nationals from Britain, Austria, Germany, Portugal, and Russia sustained injuries, alongside two police officers who were shot during the exchange. One officer remains in serious condition after being hit three times. A total of 13 individuals required hospitalization in serious conditions, a figure that may include the gunman, who underwent surgery immediately after capture. Witness accounts describe more than 20 shots fired, with distinct noises suggesting multiple firearms were used. The attacker wore military-style fatigues and a bulletproof vest, and police recovered additional weapons and ammunition from his vehicle. He continued firing at officers even after sustaining wounds himself.
A tram driver reported his cabin window shattered by gunfire near the square just before the main shooting began. Mayor Lukasz Gibala declared official mourning until Wednesday but vowed the city would remain open to visitors. "The square will belong to us again," he stated in a video posted online. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham expressed shock at the "appalling shooting," sending condolences to affected families. Warsaw’s mayor implemented increased security measures, including road barriers along old town streets. Police statistics cited earlier this year show legally owned firearms in Poland exceeded one million for the first time, with 50,700 permits issued in 2025. Justice Minister Waldemar Zurek promised the perpetrator would face severe punishment. National mourning is scheduled for Sunday and Monday as investigations continue into the lone attacker’s motives and connections.
