Crimeupdated 22m ago2 min read
MapPolish Authorities Launch Terrorism Probe After Gunman Kills 6 in Kraków Main Square
“‘undoubtedly’ saving his life.”
“Mourners left candles in tribute to victims in the square”
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL · Cropped for layout
This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.
Six people killed and fifteen injured in Kraków Main Square attack. Authorities opened a terrorism investigation, with the suspect described as influenced by far-right ideologies.
Save coverage image
Kraków attack and toll
A gunman opened fire in Kraków’s Main Square, killing six people and injuring 15 others, before police shot and wounded the suspect in a gunfight. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said authorities found the bodies of three of the suspect’s close family members inside his home in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, a city about 150 kilometers (93 miles) northeast of Kraków. The BBC said the incident was investigated after six people were killed in Kraków’s market square and 16 more were injured, including Senior Police Constables Jakub Kulik and Artur Morański.
The Aleteia EN account said Poland was living two days of national mourning after a rare instance of a mass shooting that brought the deaths of six people in Krakow's Market Square, and it said the shooter also killed his parents and sister. The DW account said Poland began two days of mourning on Sunday, a day after a gunman killed six people and wounded 15 others in Krakow’s main market square.
Officials, surgeons, and views
Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński said the man held “very radical” and “ultranationalistic” views, and he said “Everything indicates that he was fascinated by far-right ideologies.” The BBC quoted Professor Michal Pędziwiatr saying, “undoubtedly saved his life,” after his colleague stopped the bleeding of a police officer. The National Public Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation into the attack with a unit specializing in “terrorist offences,” according to the BBC.
Cardinal archbishop of Krakow Grzegorz Wojciech Ryś invited the faithful to stand together and attend a Mass at a church in the square, and he said, “We do not want to, we cannot, and we are unable to remain indifferent at a time like this.” The AP News account said police confirmed the suspect had acted alone and that the public was safe after the gunfight.
Terror probe and mourning
Poland’s national prosecutor’s office said it launched an investigation into Saturday’s shooting, and it said the probe was into “the killing of six people … using a firearm, and the attempted murder of many others, including police officers, this act constituting a terrorist offence.” France 24 said Poland’s National Prosecutor’s Office launched an investigation “today into yesterday's attack in Krakow,” and it said it was probing “the killing of six people... using a firearm, and the attempted murder of many others, including police officers, this act constituting a terrorist offence.” DW said Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk labeled the attack an act of far-right “terrorism,” while authorities had not given a possible motive.
Aleteia EN said a telegram signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See, on November 8, 2026, reported that Leo XIV expressed his “deep sorrow” over the attack and conveyed “his spiritual closeness in the Risen Christ to all those affected by this tragedy.” The Guardian said Kraków authorities said the square and adjoining streets, “as well as sections along the perpetrator’s escape route,” would be closed for several hours as two days of national mourning began.