Gunman Kills Six, Injures 12 in Poland Shooting

A gunman has killed six people and wounded 12 others in a shooting at Krakow’s historic Main Market Square in Poland on Saturday, in the country’s deadliest shooting in decades.

Police said the suspect, a Polish citizen, drove a car into the busy square before opening fire on people at random. Officers later shot the suspect, who is now in custody and receiving treatment at a hospital.

“The death toll now stands at six: four women and two men,” police said in a statement on X.

At least 12 others, including police officers, were also wounded in the attack.

Police said the suspect was wearing military clothing and carrying a long gun when officers confronted him. They also found other firearms and a large quantity of ammunition in his car.

Krakow police spokeswoman Katarzyna Cislo confirmed the discovery during an interview with private broadcaster TVN24. Authorities have not disclosed the motive for the shooting or the nationalities of the victims. However, the attack is the deadliest shooting in Poland since the fall of communism in 1989.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk travelled to Krakow after the incident and described it as “a tragic shooting”. He said police were investigating all the circumstances surrounding the attack.

Tusk also praised the officers who responded to the incident, saying, “Our highest praise goes to the heroic police officers who risked their lives in the line of duty.”

Witnesses told the Agence France-Presse (AFP) that people ran into nearby shops and restaurants to escape the gunfire.

“I saw a man shooting at people and walking around the square,” a witness identified as Annette told AFP.

Another witness, Stella, a 22-year-old tourist from France, said she only learnt about the shooting after arriving in the city. She described the incident as frightening and raised concerns about the risk of attacks in Europe.

The shooting has shocked residents and visitors in Krakow, a major tourist destination in southern Poland. The city welcomed 16.2 million visitors in 2025.

Deadly shootings are rare in Poland, a European Union and NATO member with a population of about 38 million. However, the country has faced increased security concerns following a series of stabbings in October. Tusk had previously condemned what he described as a “cult of violence”.

Poland has also warned of alleged Russian sabotage and hybrid warfare activities on its territory. Moscow has rejected the accusations. Meanwhile, police figures show that Poland issued more than 50,000 new firearms licences in 2025, bringing the total number to 411,000.

The shooting has also drawn reactions from world leaders. Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said he had received messages of condolence from foreign ministers worldwide.

President Karol Nawrocki called for a full explanation of the incident, stressing that “the safety of Poles is an absolute priority”. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also expressed sympathy with the victims and their families.

“Ukraine stands in solidarity with Poland and the Polish people. People have the right to safety,” he said.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Germany stood with Poland during the difficult moment, while European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas described the shooting as “a tragedy that will be felt far beyond Poland”.

US Ambassador to Poland Tom Rose also expressed support, saying, “America stands with Poland at this dark hour as Poland stands with her beloved citizens of Krakow.”