Jakub Kulik, hero police officer from Cracow, fighting for life after attack
Brigadier Jakub Kulik, who neutralised the Cracow shooter, is fighting for his life in hospital. Blood donation appeals have been launched by Polish ministers.
The police officer who stopped the Cracow terrorist fighting to survive
According to cnews.fr, Brigadier Jakub Kulik, the police officer who neutralised the shooter who killed six people and wounded sixteen on Cracow's Market Square on Saturday 7 November, is hospitalised in critical condition at Narutowicz Hospital in Cracow. His life remains in danger.
Jakub Kulik is a former soldier of the 6th Elite Airborne Brigade of Cracow. He had recently completed his military service before joining the police ranks. Images widely circulated on social media show him opening fire at close range on the assailant — a 24-year-old man dressed in military clothing, helmeted, masked and wearing a tactical vest — who had just fired at him with an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle. Despite three serious bullet wounds, Kulik managed to neutralise the terrorist before collapsing and being treated by emergency services.
Three serious wounds, a colleague also injured
On arrival at hospital, Jakub Kulik presented with three bullet wounds deemed very serious. One of his colleagues, Artur Morański, also shot during the operation, was also taken to hospital. His condition is described as slightly less critical, and his life is no longer in danger. Both police officers underwent surgery. Polish media specify that doctors were still fighting to save Kulik's life.
Blood donation appeals from the highest levels
The 6th Airborne Brigade of Cracow launched an appeal on Facebook: "Jakub is a hero who saved the lives of others, and now he is the one who needs help. We need blood. This is why we are appealing to all soldiers, military personnel, families and people of goodwill: if you can give your blood, help Jakub!"
Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek relayed this appeal on X: "Urgent appeal for our hero of Cracow. Brigadier Jakub Kulik, who today unhesitatingly confronted an armed assailant, is currently fighting for his life in hospital. He has a lung that is not functioning and needs every drop of blood." Żurek specified that the blood type required is AB Rh+, and asked donors to explicitly mention the name Jakub Kulik when visiting transfusion centres throughout Poland.
Tributes from the Prime Minister and authorities
Prime Minister Donald Tusk praised the courage of both police officers on social media: "They probably saved many human lives, without worrying about the risk of losing their own. Their condition is serious, but they are in very good hands. The whole of Poland has its fingers crossed for you." Interior Minister Marcin Kierwinski also paid tribute to the officers.
Waldemar Żurek added: "Without them, the death toll from today's massacre in Cracow would have been unimaginable. Limitless heroism. Hats off. Gentlemen, the whole of Poland is with you."
Fundraising campaigns opened to support the police officers
In addition to blood donation appeals, several online fundraising campaigns were launched to financially support the two wounded police officers and their families. Citizens mobilised quickly in the hours following the attack.
The toll from the attack
The attack occurred on Saturday in the early afternoon on Cracow's Market Square. A 24-year-old man opened fire "at random" on passers-by, killing six people and wounding sixteen others. The Polish prosecution opened an investigation for terrorism. According to Radio Kraków information, two of the sixteen wounded left hospital on Sunday morning; the fourteen others remained hospitalised.
Source: Google News LU FR