A gunman opened fire on pedestrians from a moving vehicle in Krakow, Poland, on Saturday afternoon, killing six people and injuring at least 15 others, authorities said.
The attack occurred around 3 p.m. local time near Slawkowska Street and the historic Main Market Square, a renowned tourist destination in the center of the country’s second-largest city. Krakow police confirmed that the victims who died included four women and two men.
Suspect Apprehended After Gunfight
Police officers engaged the shooter a short distance from the primary scene, wounding him before taking him into custody, law enforcement officials said. The suspect was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment.
Regional police identified the gunman as a Polish citizen and stated that he acted alone, dismissing preliminary reports suggesting a second attacker might have been involved. Krakow police spokesperson Katarzyna Cislo told reporters that the perpetrator wore military-style camouflage fatigues and used a military-type rifle during the assault, ABC News reported. Officers also discovered numerous other weapons alongside ammunition inside his car, according to police.
Two police officers were among the wounded, Polish Interior Minister Marcin Kierwinski said in a statement on social media. Kierwinski noted that one officer was in critical condition after suffering three gunshot wounds and undergoing emergency surgery.
Chaos in Medieval City Center
Witness accounts and social media footage revealed chaotic scenes as dozens of visitors ran for cover across the sprawling medieval plaza. The Krakow municipal transport company reported that a passing tram was struck by gunfire from the moving vehicle, shattering the cabin window of the tram driver.
Emergency medical personnel dispatched multiple ambulances and a medical rescue helicopter directly to the plaza to treat victims on the pavement. Municipal authorities urged the public to stay clear of the surrounding streets while emergency teams and investigators processed the scene.
Mass shootings remain exceedingly rare in Poland, a European Union and NATO member nation of approximately 38 million people that welcomes millions of international travelers each year to Krakow’s historic center.
Officials React to the Violence
Polish political leaders quickly addressed the tragedy. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that authorities are investigating the background and circumstances surrounding the incident, praising officers for intervening swiftly to protect the public. Polish President Karol Nawrocki extended his condolences to the families of the victims and announced that the head of the National Security Bureau was dispatched to Krakow.
Diplomats across the continent and abroad expressed grief over the assault. Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s chief diplomat, said the loss of life would resonate across the region and affirmed that European allies stand with Poland.
Tom Rose, the U.S. ambassador to Poland, condemned the violence in a statement on social media, referring to the assault as a murderous act that disrupted the peace of the nation.
Investigators have not publicly released a motive for the shooting. Authorities said on Saturday evening that law enforcement officials are continuing to interview witnesses, examine the suspect’s recovered vehicle, and review surveillance footage from across the historic district.
