Shooting in Kraków: Six dead, prosecutors investigate terrorism
Following a shooting in Kraków's market square, six people have died and 16 have been injured. Investigators are examining a terrorist motive; the bodies of the 24-year-old shooter's family were found in his house.
Shooting in market square — prosecutors investigate terrorism charge
According to WELT, Polish prosecutors are investigating the fatal shooting in Kraków's market square as a potential terrorist act. Six people died and 16 others were injured. A 24-year-old Polish man opened fire from a car on random victims in the city centre on Saturday morning. Police officers shot at the attacker and incapacitated him; he was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Police confirmed that a single perpetrator was responsible. The man used a semi-automatic long gun of the AR-15 type and was also carrying a pistol. Numerous additional weapons and ammunition were discovered in his vehicle. According to police, emergency responders reacted quickly: they opened fire on the attacker within three minutes of the first alarm.
Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński praised the "lightning-fast response" of officers, which he said had prevented an even larger massacre. Two police officers were injured during the operation, one of whom suffered three gunshot wounds. "We pray for this brave police officer, for this hero, that he may survive," Kierwiński said, according to the news agency PAP.
Family members killed in shooter's house
During a search of the shooter's residential house in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski — approximately two hours north-east of Kraków — emergency personnel discovered three additional bodies on Saturday evening. According to police spokesperson Andrzej Fijolek, they are the man's parents and sister. Due to suspicion of explosive devices, footage was taken with a drone, on which the dead could be seen.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk had previously stated that they were likely the immediate family of the shooter. This brings the total death toll to nine.
Victims from multiple countries
The six people killed in the market square comprise four women and two men. According to Interior Minister Kierwiński, one of the six dead was a foreign national; the BBC confirms that a British person is among the victims. Among the 16 injured are five non-Poles, including a person with German nationality, as well as people from Austria, Portugal, Russia and Great Britain.
The German Consulate General in Kraków stated that a person with German nationality had been injured and that it was in contact with the relevant authorities. According to Krzysztof Kleczar, head of the Małopolska Voivodeship, twelve of the injured are in a critical or life-threatening condition.
Radical ideologies as possible motive
The shooter's motive remains the subject of the investigation. According to Interior Minister Kierwiński, the man held "very radical views". There are indications that he was fascinated by far-right ideologies, although this still needs to be examined further. The Defence Ministry denied reports that the suspect was or had been a soldier.
Footage from social media shows scenes of chaos and panic in the market square. An eyewitness told the television channel Polsat News: "At first there was complete chaos. People started moving frantically, I saw overturned tables." Another witness described: "Suddenly a car drove up, and a man started shooting from the window of the vehicle." According to eyewitness accounts, the attacker was wearing a helmet or mask; his face could not be seen.
Investigation continues
Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek announced harsh punishment for the perpetrator. Evidence collection at the crime scene was expected to continue until at least Sunday. Witnesses were asked to report to the nearest police station.
President Karol Nawrocki announced a nationwide period of state mourning for Sunday and Monday. Prime Minister Tusk and Interior Minister Kierwiński made their way to the crime scene on Saturday evening.
Source: WELT