In brief: A 24-year-old gunman killed six people and injured 15 after opening fire on crowds in Krakow’s Main Market Square on Saturday, Nov. 7. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk classified the mass shooting as an act of terrorism, while President Karol Nawrocki declared national mourning for Nov. 8-9. Police arrested the masked suspect, who was armed with an AR-15 rifle, before discovering three bodies of presumed family members during subsequent searches at his residence.
A 24-year-old gunman killed six people and injured 15 on Krakow’s Main Market Square on Saturday, Nov. 7, before police discovered three additional bodies at his residence, prompting Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk to classify the mass shooting as an act of terrorism.
The shooting unfolded around 3 p.m. local time when a vehicle drove at high speed into the pedestrian zone of the historic central square. A masked assailant opened fire on pedestrians, sending crowds fleeing into nearby cafes, restaurants, and residential doorways for shelter.
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Speaking at an evening press conference, Tusk condemned the attack and confirmed the total fatal casualty toll.
“Until now in Poland we have not seen such brutal acts of terrorism, because that is precisely how this brutal assault on human life in Krakow must be called,” Tusk said, as reported by Polish news outlet Onet.
Polish President Karol Nawrocki declared two days of national mourning across the country for Nov. 8-9. Presidential spokesperson Rafał Leszkiewicz announced on X that Nawrocki had formally signed the decree.
The Foreign Ministry of Ukraine confirmed that according to notifications from Polish police authorities, no Ukrainian citizens were killed or injured during the attack.
Police discovered bodies at the suspect’s home
During investigative operations following the arrest, law enforcement officers entered the suspect’s family residence and discovered the bodies of two women and one man, bringing the fatal death toll connected to the incident to nine.
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Tusk confirmed the findings during his press conference, indicating that the victims were likely immediate relatives of the gunman.
“We have received confirmation. In the attacker’s home, the bodies of two women and a man were found,” Tusk said. “This is truly an exceptional tragedy. Much points to them being members of his immediate family.”
Forensic experts and prosecutors cordoned off the property to establish the timeline of the domestic killings in relation to the public shooting on the square.
Who carried out the Krakow attack?
Law enforcement authorities identified the suspect as Michal O., a 24-year-old Polish national from the town of Ostrowiec Swietokrzyski in Swietokrzyskie Voivodeship.
Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration spokesperson Karolina Galecka confirmed on X that the detained shooter holds Polish citizenship.
Katarzyna Cislo, spokesperson for the Malopolska Voivodeship Police Command in Krakow, said that the perpetrator was dressed in military uniform and carried tactical equipment.
“He was wearing a military uniform and had military-pattern long-barreled weapons,” Cislo said. “It was likely a semi-automatic AR-15 rifle. Other weapons and ammunition were also seized from his vehicle.”
In the trunk of the car, which was registered to the suspect’s 52-year-old father, police recovered a military backpack, tactical pouches, additional firearms, ammunition, and a bayonet.
Police confirmed that Michal O. was wounded by law enforcement gunfire during his arrest and transported to a municipal hospital under armed guard.
While initial reports indicated he was in critical condition and underwent surgery, authorities later stated his condition had stabilized.
Investigators confirmed that neither the suspect nor his father had previous criminal records. Onet reported that the suspect held legal permits for two firearms, while his father legally owned 11 weapons. Police dismissed earlier unconfirmed reports suggesting a second shooter was involved.
The Malopolska Voivodeship Office confirmed that 15 injured civilians were admitted to hospital wards across Krakow for medical treatment following the gunfire.
Emergency services initially treated several dozen people at the scene for shock, acute panic, and blast trauma. Hospital officials stated that 12 of the wounded suffered severe wounds and remained in life-threatening condition following emergency surgery.
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