KRAKOW (Web Desk) – Six people were killed and 15 wounded when a gunman opened fire on pedestrians from a car in the historic centre of the southern Polish city of Krakow on Saturday, officials said.
Police shot and arrested the suspected attacker following an exchange of gunfire. Two police officers were among those injured, with one reported to be in critical condition.
The shooting took place in the city’s Main Market Square, a popular destination for residents and international tourists. The large public space is surrounded by historic buildings, restaurants and cafes and is frequently crowded with visitors.
Police said they began receiving reports at around 3:00 pm local time that a person was firing randomly from a vehicle at people in the square.
The victims comprised four women and two men, according to police. Authorities identified the suspect as a Polish citizen but did not immediately disclose a possible motive or explain what may have prompted the attack.
“The only known perpetrator of the incident is in police custody,” Krakow police said in a statement published on social media.
Officers responding to the shooting confronted the suspect, leading to an exchange of gunfire in which two members of the force were wounded.
One officer suffered a gunshot injury, while another sustained three gunshot wounds and was described by Interior Minister Marcin Kierwinski as being in a very critical condition. The seriously injured officer underwent surgery, the minister said.
Police spokesperson Katarzyna Cislo said the suspect was wearing clothing resembling a military uniform and had used military-style weapons.
She added that officers found numerous weapons and ammunition inside the vehicle associated with the suspect.
The circumstances surrounding the attack remained under investigation, with authorities yet to establish whether the gunman had targeted particular individuals or had deliberately attacked people at random.
Witnesses describe panic in historic square
The shooting triggered panic in the busy city centre, with people running for cover as gunfire and police sirens echoed through the area.
Footage circulating on social media appeared to show people fleeing the square. Other videos showed individuals lying on the pavement as bystanders attempted to help them.
The authenticity and full circumstances of the footage had not been independently established.
A witness identified only as Konrad told local media that he saw shots being fired through the driver’s side window of a vehicle, with smoke emerging as the gunman opened fire.
He said he ran towards a police station located near the Main Market Square and found people sheltering inside.
The square is one of Krakow’s most recognisable landmarks and forms part of the city’s historic centre, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Tourist attractions in the area include traditional horse-drawn carriages, while cafes and restaurants line the surrounding streets. The shooting disrupted activity in an area that is normally busy with visitors.
Polish leaders respond to attack
Prime Minister Donald Tusk said he was receiving regular updates about the incident and later travelled from Warsaw to Krakow, a government spokesperson said.
President Karol Nawrocki expressed sympathy for those killed and injured, as well as their relatives and others affected by the violence.
Interior Minister Kierwinski praised the officers who confronted the suspect, saying they had acted quickly despite the danger.
“Police officers in Krakow intervened, risking their own lives. They acted immediately. Thanks to their heroic conduct, the assailant was quickly apprehended,” he said.
The minister also provided details of the officers’ injuries, highlighting the severity of the confrontation.
The attack has raised concerns over public safety in one of Poland’s most visited cities, where the historic centre regularly attracts large crowds.
Authorities were expected to continue examining the suspect’s vehicle, weapons and ammunition as part of efforts to establish how the shooting was carried out and whether anyone else was involved.
Investigators also face the task of determining whether the suspect had planned the attack in advance and whether there were warning signs before the violence.
Police have not announced a motive, and the suspect’s custody means investigators can question him as they work to reconstruct the events.
The deaths and injuries mark a major violent incident in Krakow’s historic centre. Officials have yet to provide further details about the victims or indicate when the investigation may produce a clearer account of the attack.
