Gunman With Far-Right Fascinations Kills Six in Poland

Six people were killed and at least 15 others injured on Saturday after a gunman opened fire in the historic centre of Krakow, Poland's second-largest city, in the country's deadliest mass shooting in decades.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said three additional bodies, belonging to two women and a man, were subsequently discovered at the suspect's residence. He noted that there were strong indications the victims were members of the gunman's immediate family. Tusk also declared two days of national mourning, describing the attack as an act of "terrorism".

Polish Interior Minister Marcin Kierwinski said preliminary findings suggested the attacker had a strong fascination with far-right ideologies. Police Chief Marek Boron confirmed that a British national was among those killed, while five foreign nationals were receiving hospital treatment for their injuries.

"Two people have not yet been identified," Boron said, referring to the victims. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham expressed shock and sadness over the incident.

"My thoughts are with the families of those who have lost their lives, everyone injured and all those affected by this senseless violence," he wrote on X.

Police said the suspect, a Polish citizen born in 2002, drove a vehicle onto Krakow's Main Market Square before opening fire indiscriminately at people in the area.

Two police officers were injured while attempting to apprehend him. Officers subsequently shot the suspect, who was detained and transported to a hospital.

An AFP correspondent at the scene reported seeing several ambulances and police vehicles as security personnel sealed off the area. The Main Market Square is one of Poland's most prominent tourist destinations, attracting large numbers of domestic and international visitors.

"Everything indicates that the perpetrator held very, very radical views. Several weapons were discovered inside the vehicle he was driving," Kierwinski said.

He added that the available evidence pointed to the suspect's fascination with far-right ideologies and ultra-nationalist beliefs. According to the minister, the attacker was dressed in military-style clothing during the shooting.

Tusk Praises 'Heroic' Police Officers

Andrzej Fijolek, spokesperson for Poland's national police chief, said the attacker had used a semi-automatic rifle resembling the American AR-15.

Authorities have yet to disclose the nationalities of all the victims. The incident marks Poland's deadliest shooting since the country emerged from communist rule in 1989.

Tusk praised the police officers who intervened, saying: "Our highest praise goes to the heroic police officers who risked their lives in the line of duty."

By Saturday evening, AFP journalists reported that the normally crowded Main Market Square remained cordoned off, with heavily armed police officers and forensic teams examining the crime scene.

Eyewitnesses said people rushed into nearby shops and restaurants to escape the gunfire.

"I saw a man shooting at people and walking around the square," said Annette, a woman in her sixties, describing the terrifying incident.

"It's a tragedy for Krakow, we've never seen anything like this before," she added.

Musician Daniel Wolny, 32, recalled seeing one person dead and several others lying nearby as bystanders attempted to save their lives.

"I saw one person who was dead... and several others lying a bit farther away, whom people were still trying to resuscitate. They were taking off their clothes, trying to stem the blood with those clothes," he said.

Stella, a 22-year-old tourist from Rennes in northwestern France, said the incident highlighted the continuing threat of terrorism in Europe.

"It's very frightening to think that there are still risks in Europe -- risks of a terrorist nature," she said.

Gabriel Bogdan, a 33-year-old employee at a nearby bar, described Krakow as an exceptionally safe city and said the shooting was unlike anything residents could remember experiencing.

Rare Occurrence in Poland

Fatal shootings remain extremely uncommon in Poland, a member of both the European Union and NATO with a population of approximately 38 million.

However, security concerns have intensified following a series of stabbing incidents in October, which Tusk previously criticised as a "cult of violence".

Poland, a strong supporter of Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, has repeatedly raised concerns about alleged Russian sabotage and hybrid warfare activities on its territory. Moscow has rejected the accusations.

Meanwhile, the country has experienced a significant increase in firearms licences. Police figures show that more than 50,000 new licences were issued in 2025, taking the total number to approximately 411,000.

Located in southern Poland, Krakow is a historic city that once served as the country's capital and remains one of its leading tourist destinations. It welcomed approximately 16.2 million visitors in 2025.

President Karol Nawrocki, a conservative nationalist, said on X that he was awaiting a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

"The safety of Poles is an absolute priority," he added.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed condolences to the victims and their families, saying Ukraine stood in solidarity with Poland and its people.

He stressed that everyone has the right to live in safety.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also conveyed his support, saying Germany stood alongside Poland as a friend and partner during the difficult period.

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas described the incident as "a tragedy that will be felt far beyond Poland".