Six people were killed and at least 15 injured when a gunman opened fire in Krakow’s historic Main Market Square on Saturday afternoon, Polish authorities said. Three additional people, believed to be relatives of the suspect, were later found dead at his home, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said.
The shooting began shortly after 3 p.m. local time in and around the city’s busy central square, a major tourist destination lined with shops and restaurants. Officials said a man fired from a moving car at people in the area. Police shot and wounded the suspect, who was taken to hospital.
Authorities described the suspect as a Polish citizen in his 20s and said they believed he acted alone. They had not publicly identified him or announced a motive. Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński said investigators were examining indications that the man held radical views, adding that an initial, broad assessment pointed to ultranationalist beliefs.
Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz characterized the attack as terrorism, saying it had targeted residents and tourists in Krakow. That description came as investigators were still working to establish the circumstances and motivation behind the violence.
Tusk called the events “a truly extraordinary tragedy” and said three people believed to be members of the suspect’s family had been found dead at his residence. The discovery raised further questions for investigators, although officials had not detailed how the deaths might be connected to the shooting or provided additional information about the victims.
Two police officers were among those injured at the scene. One officer was shot in the neck and was reported to be in critical condition. The officers were among at least 15 people wounded in the attack, according to officials.
Kierwiński said the suspect used an automatic weapon and had several other firearms in the car. Police were investigating the weapons and the sequence of events, including the suspect’s movements through the square and nearby streets. The attack affected multiple locations in the area, according to reports from local authorities.
Witness videos shared online showed people running from the square as gunshots rang out. The medieval plaza, at the heart of Krakow’s Old Town, is one of Poland’s most visited public spaces. It is surrounded by historic buildings and popular restaurants, and is usually crowded with visitors and local residents.
The shooting prompted an emergency response and a police operation in the city centre. Authorities urged people to avoid areas where police and rescue teams were working. Investigators sought to secure the scene and gather evidence while emergency services treated the wounded.
The suspect was apprehended after police shot him near the square. He was taken to hospital, and officials said he remained in medical care. Authorities did not immediately disclose the extent of his injuries or when he might be questioned.
The presence of several firearms in the car and the discovery of three bodies at the suspect’s home are among the circumstances investigators are examining. Officials have not publicly established whether the household deaths occurred before or during the attack, nor have they explained whether the suspect had previously come to police attention.
The incident is a major act of violence in a country where mass shootings are uncommon. Its location in one of Krakow’s busiest public areas, and the fact that the gunman allegedly fired from a moving vehicle, left residents and visitors seeking shelter as police moved to stop him.
The case now involves two linked investigations: the shooting in the Main Market Square and the deaths discovered at the suspect’s home. Authorities have yet to provide a complete account of the events or confirm a motive. Their early statements identify the suspect as a Polish citizen believed to have acted alone, while the possible ultranationalist motivation remains under investigation.
As officials work to establish what happened, the immediate focus remains on the victims, the injured and the families affected. The reported death toll from the square stands at six, with at least 15 people injured; the three people found at the suspect’s residence bring the total number of deaths reported in connection with the case to nine.
