Six Killed in Krakow Shooting; Authorities Investigate Suspect’s Background
According to the supplied report, six people were killed and 16 injured when a gunman opened fire in Krakow’s Main Market Square on Saturday afternoon. Authorities said the suspect, a Polish citizen aged 25, drove between several locations in the square, firing at people with an automatic weapon.
Police said officers wounded the suspect during an exchange of gunfire before he underwent surgery. Investigators reported finding additional weapons and ammunition in his car. He was reportedly wearing military-style clothing and a bulletproof vest. Police said he acted alone and that there was no continuing threat to the public.
Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński said the suspect held radical ultranationalistic views and appeared interested in far-right ideologies. Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz described the shooting as an act of terror. The report did not establish a definitive motive or clarify whether the weapons were legally held.
The victims included four women and two men. Authorities identified at least three women as Polish and one person killed as a U.K. citizen. Two police officers were injured, including one seriously. Officials also reported five foreign nationals among the injured. Thirteen people were hospitalized in serious condition, although that figure may have included the suspect.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk later said two women and one man had been found dead at the suspect’s home in Ostrowiec Swietokrzyski. He said there were strong indications they were close family members. Authorities used a drone to inspect the property because of potential security risks and concerns about additional weapons.
Poland’s domestic security and military counterintelligence services were supporting the investigation. Krakow’s mayor announced official mourning through Wednesday while saying the city would remain open to visitors. Global Affairs Canada said it was unaware of any injured Canadians. The report noted that some details about the injuries remained initially unclear.