Krakow shooting: Six killed after gunman opens fire in city centre, what we know so far
At least six people are dead and around a dozen injured after a gunman fired at random in Krakow's Main Market Square, with the suspect shot and arrested by police.
By Marina Weber ·

At least six people have been killed and around a dozen others injured after a gunman opened fire in central Krakow, the second largest city in Poland. Authorities say the investigation is still in its early stages, but here is what has been established so far.
The attack began shortly before 15:00 local time (14:00 GMT) on Saturday in the Main Market Square, the bustling central point of the city. According to police, a man drove into the square and began firing "at random people from his car". Footage recorded at the scene showed panic as people fled, with the sound of gunfire clearly audible.
Armed officers raced to the square and engaged in a gunfight with the attacker. The gunman was shot but is alive and has been arrested. Distressing footage authenticated by BBC Verify shows the moment a police officer confronts the suspect on the ground before firing his weapon several times. The officer then falls to the ground, apparently having been injured himself.
Six people, four women and two men, are confirmed to have died. Around a dozen more were hurt, among them two police officers who were shot while detaining the attacker. A Polish government minister said one of the officers was in a "very critical condition" after being shot three times during the arrest, and added that the officer was undergoing surgery. Polish authorities have not yet confirmed the names and ages of the other victims.
Police have confirmed the attacker was a male Polish citizen, though no further details about his identity have been released. A police spokesperson said the suspect was wearing "military-style attire" and was carrying a military-grade weapon. Nothing has been publicly confirmed so far about the motive behind the attack.
City officials have urged both residents and tourists to stay away from the area while the investigation continues.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk is on his way to Krakow and is expected to give an address later on Saturday. Earlier, he said he was being kept informed by the interior minister and that police were investigating "the background and all the circumstances" of the shooting.
President Karol Nawrocki said he was "deeply concerned" and was awaiting "a full explanation of the circumstances surrounding these tragic events". The US ambassador to Poland, Tom Rose, described the shooting as a "savage and murderous attack".





