Massacre in Kraków: nine dead — attacker had first killed his own family
The 25-year-old gunman who opened fire in Kraków's central square had murdered his parents and sister before the attack. Nine dead in total.
Three bodies at gunman's home — nine dead overall in Kraków massacre
Nine people lost their lives in total in the attack launched by a 25-year-old gunman at Kraków's central Market Square on Saturday, 7 November, according to Dialogos. In addition to six dead in the square, authorities found three more bodies — the attacker's parents and sister — at his residence, approximately 200 kilometres away from the city.
A Polish police spokesman confirmed that the three bodies were discovered during an investigation by the counter-terrorism service. Authorities are investigating the circumstances of their deaths, with evidence pointing to the 25-year-old having murdered them before travelling to Kraków.
The attack on the square: three minutes of panic
Shortly before 15:00 local time, the attacker drove into the crowded central square and began shooting indiscriminately at passers-by. The attack lasted approximately three minutes, sending panic through crowds at one of Poland's most visited tourist destinations.
Six people were killed in the shooting — four women and two men. Another 16 were wounded, including two police officers, one of whom is in critical condition. Three of the victims were Polish citizens and one held British nationality; the identities of the other two had not been established in initial reports. Among the injured are nationals of other European countries.
Video footage circulated shows the gunman's vehicle moving at high speed as people ran for safety. Bullets smashed through glass shop fronts, and gunfire struck even a tram passing through the area at that time.
Eyewitnesses: 'We didn't immediately realise it was gunfire'
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos, with people abandoning shops and restaurants seeking shelter. A 24-year-old Polish student reported that he initially did not realise the loud bangs were gunshots; when he understood what was happening, he saw people lying in the street and others trying to help the wounded. After the attack, overturned tables and personal belongings abandoned by people as they fled remained scattered across the square.
Ideological background and arrest
Poland's Interior Minister characterised the attacker as "ultra-nationalist", whilst information made public referenced possible influence from far-right ideologies. The 25-year-old, of Polish nationality, was reportedly carrying a weapon of military specification and military-type ammunition. The precise motives for the attack and any potential connection between his ideological beliefs and the murders remain under investigation.
Police officers who intervened to stop the attack shot the attacker. He was arrested and is being treated in serious condition following surgery.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that authorities will investigate whether any individuals supported or aided the attacker. Investigations are focusing both on the timeline of the attack in Kraków and on the circumstances under which the gunman's three relatives lost their lives.
Source: Dialogos