Six Dead After Shooting at Market Square in Poland’s Krakow

Gunfire at the open market

A man drove into an open-air market in Krakow and fired from his vehicle, authorities said. At least six people died, while at least 15 were injured. Police shot the suspect and detained him. The regional government of Malopolski later raised the reported death toll from five to six in a post on X.

Authorities describe the suspect

Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński said the suspect, a 25-year-old Polish citizen, appeared to be drawn to far-right ideology. The Associated Press reported that Kierwiński described his views as “very radical” and “ultra-nationalistic.” Kierwiński said five injured people were foreign nationals and that one foreign national was among those killed. Police are investigating the attack and its circumstances, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said.

City and leaders respond

Krakow Mayor Łukasz Gibała announced official mourning through Wednesday. He said the city would continue welcoming visitors despite the tragedy. Tusk said he was receiving updates from the interior minister and later traveled from Warsaw to Krakow, according to a government spokesperson. The U.S. ambassador to Poland, Tom Rose, and the EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, also offered support and condolences.

Rare violence in Poland

Mass shootings are uncommon in Poland, a European Union and NATO member with a population of 38 million. Kallas said the loss of life would be felt beyond Poland and expressed solidarity with the country.

Police officers in Krakow acted quickly and risked their lives to intervene, according to a statement shared by the regional government. The suspect was apprehended after police intervened.