Kraków shooting: six dead, national mourning declared

A gunman opened fire in Kraków's main market square on Saturday afternoon, killing six people and wounding around fifteen before being shot and detained by police. The suspect, a 25-year-old Polish man, remains in critical condition in hospital. Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk has described the attack as an act of terrorism.

According to police, the attacker drove into Rynek Główny at about 15:00 local time and began firing randomly at people from his car using a military-style rifle. Witnesses described chaotic scenes, with people running into shops and buildings for cover. The suspect was wearing military-style clothing and carrying multiple weapons, including an AR-15. Two police officers were wounded while stopping the attack; Tusk called them 'true heroes' and said they likely saved many lives.

Six people died: four women and two men. One of the victims was a British citizen, while three were Polish; two have not yet been identified. Among the injured, at least five are foreign nationals from Austria, Germany, Portugal, Russia and the United Kingdom. Polish authorities announced two days of national mourning on Sunday and Monday.

Police later found three bodies at the suspect's home – two women and a man, which Prime Minister Tusk said are likely his parents and sister. Investigators are searching the property for additional weapons and checking his car. Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński said the attacker appears to have been influenced by far-right ideology, though the investigation is continuing. Police believe he acted alone.

Romanian tourists in Kraków at the time described panic as people fled the square. The shooting is rare for Poland, which has tightened security in Warsaw and other cities. Officials have asked the public to remain calm and to donate blood for the wounded officers.