Perpetrator of Kraków shooting dies in hospital
The 24-year-old suspected of killing six people at the Main Market Square in Kraków died on Monday. Police say the man was inspired by far-right ideologies.
Suspect dies in hospital
According to information from Polish police cited by bbc.com, the man suspected of killing six people in central Kraków died in hospital on Monday morning. The 24-year-old opened fire at the Main Market Square on Saturday shortly before 3pm, and just three minutes after the start of the shooting, armed police officers shot the attacker. Thanks to the rapid intervention of the armed officers, further casualties were avoided.
Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński reported that preliminary investigative findings indicate that the perpetrator was inspired by "far-right ideologies" and described him as an "ultranationalist". Police identified the attacker as a 24-year-old Pole, but did not confirm his name.
Victims and injured
Six people were killed in the attack: four women and two men. Among them were four Poles, one British national and one Austrian national. Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed that after the attack, three additional victims' bodies were found in the suspect's home — his 53-year-old father, 52-year-old mother and 21-year-old sister.
Sixteen people were taken to hospital as a result of the shooting, including two police officers and the attacker himself. Among the injured were citizens of Austria, the United Kingdom, Germany, Portugal and Russia. On Sunday, authorities confirmed that both wounded officers had regained consciousness.
Weapon and course of events
According to Polish media, the man held a firearms permit and was able to take the weapon from his family home before the attack. Two surgeons — Professor Michał Pędziwiatr and Dr Mateusz Wierdak — appeared at the scene, who were eating lunch near the Main Market Square. When they heard the shots, they immediately rushed to the scene and began providing first aid. Pędziwiatr told the BBC: "We saw an attack with a firearm. What can a surgeon do in such a situation?... We decided to help the victims as quickly as possible". His colleague stemmed the bleeding of the most seriously wounded police officer before the ambulance arrived.
Witnesses and international reaction
Tourists in Kraków described panic when shots rang out. Ruby Catherine Warren from London recalls: "I shouted to my friends to run. We all started running to save our lives". Tom Brook from West Yorkshire was in a McDonald's restaurant near the Main Market Square and saw rescue workers providing assistance and bodies covered with plastic sheets.
After the attack, authorities announced two days of national mourning. Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the attack as terrorism: "Until now, Poland has not had such drastic cases of terrorism, because that is what this cruel attack on people's lives in Kraków should be called". British Prime Minister Andy Burnham expressed shock and sadness, stating that "the United Kingdom stands in solidarity with the Polish nation". The Main Market Square reopened on Sunday evening.
Source: Google News PL — Crime (pl)