Six Killed in Random Shooting in Krakow Square as Gunman Arrested

UPDATE - follow-up to What we know so far after three bodies found at home of Krakow gunman: Six people died and sixteen others suffered injuries when a gunman opened fire on random people in central Krakow, Poland. The attack started just before 15:00 local time in the Main Market Square, a busy public area.

The Attack

A 25-year-old Polish man drove into the square and began shooting at random people from his car. A passing tram was hit by bullets, though no passengers were hurt. Police shot and arrested the attacker within three minutes of the shooting. The suspect wore military-style clothing and carried a military-grade weapon, though officials confirmed he is not a soldier. Police found many weapons and ammunition pieces inside his vehicle.

Casualties and Arrests

Four women and two men died in the attack, including one British national and three Polish citizens, while two victims remain unidentified. Sixteen people went to hospital for treatment, including five foreigners, the attacker, and two police officers who were shot during the arrest. Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk named the injured officers as Senior Constable Jakub Kulik and Senior Constable Artur Morański. One officer was shot three times and remains in critical condition.

Search and Investigation

Police found three bodies at the suspect's home during a search. The suspect's car, located at Dietla and Stradomska streets, underwent checks for explosives, leading to the evacuation of nearby residents. Officials stated early investigations show the suspect may have ties to far-right ideologies and acted as an ultra-nationalist.

Context

Krakow's Main Market Square is one of the largest medieval plazas in Europe and a major tourist hub, making it vulnerable to sudden violence. Mass shootings of this nature are extremely rare in Poland, which maintains strict gun control laws compared to many other nations. Law enforcement agencies across Europe frequently monitor far-right extremist groups for potential radicalization risks.