Six Killed and Fifteen Injured in Open Market Shooting in Krakow

A gunman drove a car into the Main Market Square in the Polish city of Krakow and fired at random people, killing at least six people and injuring at least 15 others. The victims include four women and two men, while police officers are among the wounded with one in serious condition. The suspect was shot and wounded by police during a confrontation a short distance away and taken to a hospital in custody. Krakow police confirmed the shooter is a Polish citizen who acted alone, wearing military-style fatigues and using a military-type long gun while carrying extra weapons and ammunition in his car.

Reactions And Mourning

Marcin Kierwiński, Poland's interior minister, stated there are indications the suspect was fascinated by far-right ideology. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk traveled to Krakow from Warsaw, noting that investigators are looking into the background and all circumstances of the attack. Krakow mayor Łukasz Gibała announced the city will observe official mourning until Wednesday, vowing that the historic square will remain open to visitors. International leaders, including U.S. ambassador to Poland Tom Rose and European Union top diplomat Kaja Kallas, shared statements offering condolences and standing with the country during this time.

Context

Mass shootings remain rare occurrences in Poland, which is a member of the European Union and NATO with a population of 38 million people. Krakow itself serves as the country's second-largest city and sits roughly 155 miles away from the capital city of Warsaw.