New details emerge on Krakow gunman after six killed in market square attack

UPDATE - follow-up to What we know so far after Krakow gun attack: Six people were killed and more than a dozen others injured when a 25-year-old Polish man opened fire at random from his car in Krakow's Main Market Square.

The Attack and Arrest

The shooting started shortly before 15:00 local time in the central square, a popular tourist spot. A passing tram was hit by gunfire, though no passengers were hurt. Armed officers arrived quickly and shot the suspect within three minutes. The 25-year-old suspect is currently in hospital recovering from surgery for a gunshot wound. Police found many weapons and ammunition inside his vehicle at the intersection of Dietla and Stradomska streets, though checks for explosives turned up nothing.

Casualties and Victims

Six people died in total, comprising four women and two men. This death toll includes one British national, three Polish citizens, and two unidentified individuals. Sixteen people went to hospital for injuries, including five foreigners, the attacker, and two police officers. Prime Minister Donald Tusk identified the injured officers as Senior Constable Jakub Kulik and Senior Constable Artur Morański. One officer was shot three times during the arrest and remains in very critical condition after surgery.

Investigation and Suspect Background

Prime Minister Tusk confirmed that three more bodies—two women and one man—were found at the gunman's home during a police search. The suspect wore military-style clothes and carried a military-grade weapon, though officials stated he was not a soldier. Counter-terrorism police also searched his home in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, located about 200km from Krakow. A government minister stated that early investigations point to far-right and ultra-nationalist inspirations.

Context

Krakow's Main Market Square is one of the largest medieval squares in Europe and draws large crowds of local residents and international visitors daily. Mass shootings of this nature are extremely rare in Poland, making sudden public safety incidents in major civic centers a matter of intense national concern and heavy security mobilization.