At least six people have been killed and 16 others injured after a gunman opened fire in the heart of Krakow, Poland’s second-largest city, in an attack that authorities suspect was motivated by far-right extremism. The shooting, which unfolded in one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations, sparked widespread panic, triggered a major police response and left the historic city center covered in shattered glass and bullet damage.
The victims included four women and two men, among them a British national. Authorities confirmed that three of those killed were Polish citizens, while the identities of two other victims had not yet been established.
The 25-year-old suspect, a Polish national, was arrested after exchanging gunfire with police officers. Investigators later discovered three additional bodies inside his home, raising further questions about the circumstances surrounding the deadly incident and whether the attack was connected to other killings.
Polish authorities are continuing to investigate the suspect’s background, possible extremist connections and the events leading up to the shooting.
How the Shooting Unfolded in Krakow’s Main Market Square and Video
The attack began shortly before 3 p.m. local time in Krakow’s Main Market Square, one of Europe’s largest medieval public squares and a major attraction for international visitors.
Krakow Shooting Full Video
According to police, the suspect drove into the busy square before opening fire randomly at people from inside his vehicle.
The sudden gunfire created scenes of chaos as pedestrians, tourists and local residents desperately searched for shelter. Witnesses described hearing numerous shots as people ran through nearby streets and buildings to escape the danger.
Video footage from the scene captured the frightening atmosphere, with people fleeing in different directions as gunshots echoed across the historic square.
A passing tram was also targeted during the shooting. Bullets shattered several windows, although authorities confirmed that no passengers aboard the tram were injured.
Police officers quickly arrived at the scene and confronted the gunman. An exchange of gunfire followed, with officers shooting the suspect approximately three minutes after the attack began.
Authorities said the rapid response prevented the situation from becoming even more deadly.
The 25-year-old suspect suffered a gunshot wound and was taken to hospital, where he underwent surgery. He remained under police supervision following his arrest.
Disturbing footage authenticated by BBC Verify reportedly showed an officer confronting the suspect after he had fallen to the ground. The officer fired several shots before also collapsing, apparently after being injured during the confrontation.
The scene was subsequently secured by armed police units as emergency services treated victims and transported injured people to nearby hospitals.
Shopfronts surrounding the square showed visible damage, with broken windows and fragments of glass scattered across the pavement.
City officials urged residents and tourists to avoid the area while investigators examined the crime scene and collected evidence.
Six Victims Confirmed Dead as 16 People Are Taken to Hospital
Polish authorities confirmed that six people died as a result of the shooting. The victims consisted of four women and two men.
Among those killed was a British citizen, highlighting the international impact of the attack in a city that attracts millions of foreign visitors every year.
Three victims were identified as Polish nationals, while two others had not yet been formally identified.
In addition to the fatalities, 16 people were transported to hospitals for medical treatment. The group included five foreign nationals, two police officers and the suspected attacker.
The injured foreigners were reported to be citizens of Austria, Britain, Germany, Portugal and Russia.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk later identified the two injured officers as Senior Constable Jakub Kulik and Senior Constable Artur Morański.
One officer was reported to be in extremely critical condition after being shot three times while attempting to arrest the gunman. A government minister said the officer was undergoing surgery and receiving intensive medical treatment.
The condition of the remaining injured victims was not immediately clear.
In another disturbing development, investigators discovered three bodies inside the suspect’s residence during a search conducted after the shooting.
Prime Minister Tusk confirmed that the bodies belonged to two women and one man.
Authorities have not yet publicly established the identities of those individuals or explained how their deaths might be connected to the Krakow attack.
The discovery has become a significant part of the investigation, with police examining whether the suspect may have been involved in additional violent crimes before arriving in the city.
Who Is the Suspected Gunman?
Police identified the attacker as a 25-year-old Polish man, although his name has not been officially released.
According to a police spokesperson, the suspect was wearing military-style clothing and carrying a military-grade firearm during the attack.
Authorities stressed that he was not a serving soldier.
Investigators also discovered numerous weapons and ammunition inside the vehicle he used during the shooting.
Polish media reports suggested that the suspect held a firearms permit and may have obtained some of the weapons from his family residence.
His home was located in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, a city approximately 200 kilometers (125 miles) from Krakow.
Following the attack, counter-terrorism police assisted local investigators in searching the property and collecting potential evidence.
A government minister said preliminary findings suggested that the suspect had been influenced by far-right ideology.
The minister also described him as an ultra-nationalist, although officials did not provide further details about his political affiliations, online activities or possible connections to extremist organizations.
Investigators are now examining his personal background, communications, weapons ownership and movements before the attack.
Authorities have not yet established a definitive motive or confirmed whether the suspect acted alone.
The discovery of three additional bodies at his residence has also intensified questions about whether the shooting was part of a wider pattern of violence.
Tourists and Residents Describe Moments of Terror
Krakow’s Main Market Square is normally filled with visitors photographing historic buildings, enjoying outdoor restaurants and exploring the city’s cultural attractions.
However, the shooting transformed the popular destination into a scene of fear and confusion.
Jonathan Balshaw, from Ipswich in the United Kingdom, was visiting the square with his Polish girlfriend, Dominika, when the gunfire began.
The couple were standing near St Mary’s Basilica when they suddenly heard shots.
They immediately ran toward the side of the church and entered through a side door, where they hid with several other people until the shooting stopped.
Jonathan described hearing more than 20 shots, adding that the gunfire appeared to come from multiple firearms because there were two distinctly different sounds.
His account highlighted how quickly an ordinary afternoon in the historic city center turned into a life-threatening emergency.
Another British visitor, Caitlin Shasby, from Newcastle, had arrived in Krakow just one day earlier with her friend Jon for a long weekend.
The pair were staying at a hotel near the affected area when they heard gunshots from their room.
Initially, they were unsure what was happening.
The situation became clearer when hotel staff contacted them and instructed them to remain inside their rooms until further notice.
The warnings reflected the uncertainty and fear experienced by tourists and residents as police attempted to secure the surrounding streets.
For many visitors, the incident was particularly shocking because Krakow is widely regarded as a major European cultural and tourism destination.
Police Investigate Suspected Extremist Motivation
The possible far-right motivation behind the attack has become one of the central questions in the investigation.
Polish officials have been cautious about drawing conclusions while forensic examinations and background checks remain underway.
However, preliminary assessments indicating possible extremist inspiration have raised concerns about politically motivated violence and the potential threat posed by individuals with access to firearms.
The suspect’s military-style clothing, weapons and ammunition are among the details being examined by investigators.
Police also searched his vehicle, which was discovered near the intersection of Dietla and Stradomska streets.
Officers checked the car for possible explosive devices as a precaution, but no explosives were found.
Residents of nearby buildings were temporarily evacuated while specialists carried out security checks.
Investigators are expected to examine whether the suspect had planned the attack in advance, how he obtained his weapons and whether he had communicated his intentions to other individuals.
The three bodies discovered at his residence may also provide important evidence about his activities before the shooting.
Polish and International Leaders Condemn the Attack
The shooting prompted strong reactions from Polish political leaders and governments around the world.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk travelled to Krakow following the incident and described the violence as an act of terrorism.
He said Poland had not previously experienced such an extreme case of terrorism, emphasizing the seriousness of the attack against ordinary people.
Krakow Mayor Łukasz Gibała signed an order declaring a period of mourning in the city until Wednesday, November 11.
The decision was intended to honor the victims and allow residents to express their grief following the tragedy.
International leaders also expressed condolences.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he was shocked and saddened by the shooting.
He extended his thoughts to the families of those who had lost their lives, the injured and everyone affected by the violence, adding that the United Kingdom stood in solidarity with the people of Poland.
British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband also said the UK government deeply mourned those killed in what he described as an appalling attack.
United States Ambassador to Poland Tom Rose condemned the incident as a savage and murderous attack.
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the tragedy would be felt far beyond Poland, reflecting the international concern generated by the violence.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also expressed shock and extended condolences on behalf of the Ukrainian people to the families and loved ones of the victims.
Investigation Continues as Krakow Mourns
The deadly shooting has left Krakow facing a period of grief and uncertainty.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack, including the suspect’s possible extremist motivations, his access to firearms and the three deaths discovered at his home.
Police are also working to establish the identities of all victims and determine whether additional individuals may have been connected to the incident.
The rapid response by armed officers appears to have prevented further casualties, although two officers were injured while confronting the attacker.
For the families of those killed and the people who witnessed the violence, the consequences of the shooting will likely remain long after the crime scene has been cleared.
What began as an ordinary afternoon in one of Europe’s most recognizable historic squares became a devastating reminder of how quickly public spaces can turn into scenes of violence.
As Poland mourns the six confirmed victims, investigators face the difficult task of uncovering the full story behind one of the country’s most shocking recent attacks.