KRAKOW – Poland entered a period of national mourning on Sunday following a tragic event in Krakow where a 24-year-old man with far-right ideologies drove into a crowded Main Square, unleashing gunfire that resulted in six fatalities and left 15 others injured. The attack, which Poland’s defense minister labeled as an “act of terror,” took place in one of the city’s most iconic and bustling areas, known for its historical significance and tourist appeal.
The aftermath of the shooting saw mourners gathering in the square, leaving candles and flowers in remembrance of the victims. Authorities continued their investigation, and by Sunday morning, parts of the square remained cordoned off.
In a shocking development, police discovered three bodies at the attacker’s family residence in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, located approximately 150 kilometers (93 miles) northeast of Krakow. Authorities confirmed these were the attacker’s mother, father, and sister, and preliminary investigations suggested they likely succumbed to gunshot wounds.
The victims of the Main Square tragedy included four women and two men, with three of the women and one man being Polish nationals. Additionally, a British man and a woman from an undisclosed country were among those killed.
The two police officers who bravely intervened to stop the assailant have been praised for their heroic actions. One officer remains in a coma, while the other has regained consciousness. In light of their critical condition, officials have called for blood donations to assist the injured officers.
“Had it not been for the swift and selfless response of these two young men, the casualty count could have been considerably higher,” stated Krzysztof Jan Klęczar, the Malopolska regional governor.
Among the injured, five were identified as non-Polish nationals, hailing from the U.K., Portugal, Russia, Germany, and Austria. The assailant himself is in critical condition following multiple surgical procedures.
Initial reports had mistakenly identified the shooter’s age as 25, but authorities later clarified that he is indeed 24 years old. This incident marks a grim milestone for Poland, as mass shootings are exceptionally rare in the country.
Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński characterized the attacker as holding “very radical” and “ultranationalistic” beliefs, suggesting a fascination with far-right ideologies that have gained traction across Europe.
Witnesses shared harrowing accounts through social media, depicting chaotic scenes of people fleeing the square for safety amidst the gunfire. One video captured a police officer repeatedly shooting the assailant as he lay on the ground, before the officer himself collapsed from his injuries.
Reports indicate that the attacker’s father legally owned over ten firearms, and the shooter himself also possessed guns. In Poland, approximately 411,000 individuals hold gun permits in a nation of 37 million, with interest in gun ownership on the rise.
While mass shootings are rare in Poland, recent weeks have seen a string of violent incidents, including three attacks at schools in the Mazovia province, leading to one death and multiple injuries.
Kacper Rekawek, a senior researcher at the International Center for Counterterrorism in The Hague, noted that the attacker’s military gear and methods are reminiscent of other extreme right lone actors involved in attacks across Europe. “This incident signifies a troubling escalation, indicating that such attacks have now succeeded in Poland,” he stated.
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Ciobanu reported from Warsaw, Poland.
