Krakow shooter who killed at least six had 'far-right' views, minister says

A deadly drive-by shooting in Krakow on Saturday has left at least six people dead and 16 others injured, shaking a nation that prides itself on low rates of violent crime. The violence began at around 3pm local time when a 25-year-old Polish citizen drove into the city's Main Market Square and opened fire at random from his car. Poland's interior minister Marcin Kierwiński said that early investigations indicate the gunman was inspired by far-right ideologies and seemingly had very radical views. Police officers shot and arrested the suspect at the scene, and he is currently hospitalized in serious condition following surgery.

The tragedy deepened on Saturday evening when Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that three additional bodies—two women and one man, likely members of the gunman's close family—were found inside the shooter's home. Police commander-in-chief Marek Boron confirmed that a British national was among the six people killed in the market square, while the Portuguese Foreign Ministry stated that a Portuguese woman was among the wounded. Two police officers were also injured during the apprehension, with one officer suffering three gunshot wounds and remaining in critical condition after undergoing surgery.

Who acts, who is hit, and what do officials say?

The response involves top levels of the Polish government, local law enforcement, and international leaders reacting to an event described by Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz as a terror attack. Prime Minister Donald Tusk traveled from Warsaw to Krakow to monitor the situation, while President Karol Nawrocki's spokesperson announced a period of national mourning for November 8 and 9. Authorities have moved quickly to establish facts while urging restraint, with Prime Minister Tusk issuing a heartfelt appeal to politicians of all stripes not to exploit the tragedy.

Police spokesperson Katarzyna Cisło stated that the lone gunman wore military-style fatigues and a bulletproof vest, using military-type long guns and an AR-15 rifle. Investigators from the Internal Security Agency are searching both the scene and the suspect's family home, where the father reportedly had several guns. Meanwhile, Daniel Tilles, editor-in-chief of a Krakow-based news outlet, told Sky News that mass shootings are unheard of in Poland due to very low rates of gun ownership compared to other European countries.

How did the attack unfold across the city?

Witness accounts describe sudden terror as the dark car appeared in the bustling tourist destination and the driver began firing into crowds. A witness named Konrad told news website Interia that he saw shots fired from the driver's side window before fleeing to a police station inside the market square that was already full of people hiding on the floor. Another witness, a 67-year-old man named Julek, told Reuters he saw the car appear suddenly before the driver opened fire on a group of people and sped away.

The violence was not confined to the main square alone. Krakow's public transport provider MPK reported that one of its route 1 trams was shot at from a passing car, shattering the driver's cab window though leaving all passengers uninjured. Emergency services flooded the area immediately, landing a Polish Medical Air Rescue helicopter in the square while firefighters and police cordoned off the hot zone and urged locals to take cover.

• Four women and two men killed in the initial drive-by shooting in the Main Market Square
• Sixteen people injured, including five foreign nationals and two police officers
• A British national confirmed among the dead by police commander-in-chief Marek Boron
• A Portuguese woman confirmed among the injured by the Portuguese Foreign Ministry
• Three additional family members found dead in the suspect's home

What are the wider political and international repercussions?

The mass shooting adds severe tension to a nation already unsettled by a string of school stabbings in October that authorities linked to violent extremist content online. Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński praised the heroism of police officers who apprehended the suspect just three minutes after receiving the initial report, stating they prevented a much larger massacre. Defence Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz explicitly denied unverified reports circulating online that the suspect was a soldier in the Polish Armed Forces, confirming the man has never had any connection to the military.

International condemnation was swift, reflecting the shock of an attack in a country widely viewed as safer than its western European neighbors. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on X that there can be no justification for the shocking crime and that Ukraine stands in solidarity with Poland. European foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called the incident a tragedy that will be felt far beyond Poland, emphasizing that the country does not stand alone. Andy Burnham also shared his condolences on social media, noting that the United Kingdom stands in solidarity with the people of Poland.

What happens next in the investigation?

Authorities face mounting pressure to uncover the precise circumstances surrounding the 25-year-old suspect. Investigators are currently analyzing the numerous weapons and ammunition recovered from his vehicle alongside the forensic evidence gathered from his family home. Officials must also identify the remaining two unidentified victims among the dead and monitor the conditions of the people still receiving medical care in Krakow hospitals, particularly the critical police officer fighting for his life.

Residents and travelers in Krakow are advised to respect ongoing police cordons around the historic centre as the investigation continues through the weekend. Prime Minister Tusk and local leaders have promised transparency as the full circumstances of the crime are established. Further updates regarding the suspect's medical condition, the formal identification of all victims, and the findings of the Internal Security Agency are expected from Polish authorities as the national mourning period begins.