Six people were killed and 16 others injured after a gunman opened fire in the main market square of Krakow, Poland, on Saturday afternoon. The attack, which authorities have described as an act of terror, has triggered a period of national mourning and raised questions about gun control in the country.
Far-Right Motives and Family Deaths
Polish Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński stated that the 25-year-old suspect was influenced by far-right ideology and held ultra-nationalistic views. The suspect, a Polish citizen, used an automatic weapon to attack people in the busy square around 3pm local time.
Hours after the initial shooting, Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that police discovered the bodies of three of the suspect’s close family members at his home in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, a city approximately 150 kilometers northeast of Krakow. The victims were identified as two women and one man.
Krakow police spokesperson Katarzyna Cisło confirmed that the attacker wore military-style fatigues and a bulletproof vest. He continued to fire at police officers even after being shot himself. Authorities found additional weapons and ammunition in his vehicle.
Victims and International Response
Polish police identified the victims as four women and two men. One of the deceased was a British citizen. The remaining two victims had not been identified at the time of reporting. Among the 16 injured were five foreign nationals from Britain, Austria, Germany, Portugal, and Russia.
Two police officers were also among the wounded. One officer remains in serious condition after being shot three times during the exchange of fire with the attacker. A total of 13 people were hospitalized in serious condition, a figure that may include the gunman, who underwent surgery following the incident.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham expressed shock and sadness over the event. He stated that his thoughts were with the families of those who lost their lives and everyone affected by the violence.
Security and Gun Laws in Poland
Krakow Mayor Łukasz Gibała declared that the city would remain open to visitors despite the tragedy. He vowed that the square would belong to the people again. The city, which receives 15 million visitors annually, entered official mourning until Wednesday.
The attack has intensified scrutiny on Poland’s gun laws. Earlier this year, reports indicated that the number of legally owned firearms in Poland surpassed one million for the first time. Police statistics showed that Poland issued a record 50,700 gun permits in 2025, nearly double the number registered in 2015.
Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski announced increased security measures in the Polish capital, including the installation of road barriers along main streets in the old town. Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek stated that authorities would ensure the perpetrator is held fully accountable and severely punished.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene as people ran for cover near St Mary’s Basilica. Jonathan Balshaw, a visitor from England, told the BBC that he heard more than 20 shots with distinctly different noises. A tram driver reported that his vehicle was shot at while passing near the square, shattering the cabin window.
Poland will observe a period of national mourning on Sunday and Monday to honor the victims of the attack.
Source: The Guardian
