Polish PM reveals three bodies found in shooter's home after Cracovia attack
The 25-year-old man who killed six people in Krakow's main square was described by officials as holding radical ultranationalist views.
By Aiko Petrov ·
Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced on Sunday that authorities discovered three bodies inside the suspect's residence in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski. The city lies approximately 150 kilometers northeast of Krakow. Tusk stated there are reasons to believe the victims were close relatives of the attacker, though officials had not yet clarified how they died. The discovery occurred hours after the violent incident in the capital's main square.
The shooting took place around 3:00 p.m. local time on Saturday in the Main Market Square. A 25-year-old man drove a car into the crowded tourist area and opened fire from the vehicle using a military-style rifle. He moved to different spots in the square, pausing to shoot at people. Bystanders fled into narrow side streets for cover. Bullet impacts damaged shop windows and struck a tram. Police engaged the shooter, who continued firing even after being hit. Two officers were wounded during the exchange before the attacker was subdued and taken to a hospital for surgery.
Authorities confirmed a toll of six dead and 15 injured. The six victims included four women and two men. At least three of the women were Polish citizens, while one victim held British nationality. Officials were still working to identify the remaining two deceased individuals. Among the 15 injured, 13 were hospitalized in critical condition. Two others received treatment and were released after a few hours. Five of the injured were foreign nationals.
The suspect wore military-style clothing and a bulletproof vest. Police found additional weapons and ammunition inside his car. Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński described the man's ideas as very radical and ultranationalist. He said all indications pointed to a fascination with far-right ideologies. The Defense Minister labeled the shooting an act of terror. Initial investigations suggest the man acted alone. Kacper Rekawek, a senior researcher at the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism in The Hague, noted the attacker's gear resembles that of other lone far-right actors in Europe. He said this type of attack has now become successful in Poland.
Mass shootings are rare in a country of roughly 37 million people. About 411,000 residents hold permits to own firearms. This incident follows three school attacks in the Mazovia province in mid-October that killed one person and injured others, including children. Mayor Łukasz Gibała declared an official citywide period of mourning through Wednesday. He stated the square would reopen to visitors. Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski of Warsaw announced that road barriers would be installed on main streets in the capital's old town to boost security.
