Krakow shooting suspect dies in hospital as motive remains unclear
The 24-year-old Polish man accused of killing nine people in Krakow died in hospital on Monday. Prosecutors say his motives remain undetermined despite earlier far-right links.
Krakow gunman dies two days after police shoot-out
The Polish man suspected of carrying out a deadly shooting spree in Krakow has died in hospital, two days after he was critically wounded in a confrontation with police, Times of Malta reports.
The 24-year-old, identified by Polish media as Michał Oksiński, died at approximately 4.30am on Monday following three surgical operations. Regional police confirmed the death in a post on X: "We inform you that the perpetrator of the tragic events died this morning in the hospital."
Oksiński had allegedly opened fire with a semi-automatic rifle in a central Krakow square, dressed in military clothing, killing six people and wounding 15 others. The dead included an Austrian woman and a British man. Among the wounded were Austrian, British, German, Portuguese and Russian nationals, all reported to be in a stable condition on Monday.
The bodies of his parents and a sister were separately found at the family home in another town, bringing the total death toll to nine. Two police officers, seriously injured during the pursuit, shot the suspect at an intersection near the city's Main Market Square.
No confirmed ideological motive
Authorities had initially described Oksiński as having been "fascinated by far-right ideologies," and Prime Minister Donald Tusk characterised the attack — the deadliest in Poland since the fall of communism in 1989 — as an act of "terrorism."
However, prosecutors stepped back from that characterisation at a press conference on Monday. "We do not have findings that we could, in a responsible way, categorically state that he was inspired by any particular ideology," said national prosecutor's office spokesman Przemysław Nowak. "It is far too early to comment on the motives ... We have not found any obvious symbols that are generally associated with a particular political movement, whether far right or far left," he added.
An interior ministry spokeswoman told Polish radio that the "many emblems and patches" on Oksiński's clothing were being analysed as part of the ongoing investigation. Investigators are nonetheless treating the spree as a terrorist incident.
Oksiński had no prior criminal record, according to investigators cited by Polish media. He and his father were both members of a shooting club, and his grandmother told Polish media he had obtained a gun licence earlier this year. Investigators seized 11 firearms during searches.
Gun licence review launched
In the wake of the attack, the interior ministry announced a review of the conditions under which firearms licences are granted, specifying that licence-holders' medical records would be updated on a regular basis.
Poland has recorded a marked increase in firearms permits in recent years. In 2025 alone, more than 50,000 new licences were awarded, bringing the national total to 411,000, according to police figures.
Source: Times of Malta