In brief

• Prosecutors searching the Krakow suspect's room say a yellow Gadsden flag with a rattlesnake hung on the wall.
• The national prosecutor's office says the flag does not establish motive and is not widely linked to any extremist current in Poland.
• Investigators found four firearms and several hundred rounds of ammunition, with at least about 500 additional rounds that could have been used.
• The attack killed six people and the attacker died early Monday; investigators are still examining his motives.

Flag found on the wall

The flag, known as the Gadsden flag, dates back to the 18th century and is linked to American history (Znaki na ubraniu Michała Oksińskiego pod lupą służb. Nowe dane, "flaga Gadsdena" – wydarzenia.interia.pl) (Żółta flaga z wężem wisiała w pokoju zamachowca. Wyjaśniamy, co znaczy – Rzeczpospolita).

What the symbol means

The flag carries the words "Don't Tread on Me" beneath the snake. Nowak said the symbol has several meanings, including ideas of freedom and resistance to authority, and that it is not widely associated with either far-right or far-left extremist groups in Poland (Śledczy przeszukali pokój zamachowca z Krakowa. Znaleziono żółtą flagę z wężem – Onet) ("Kilkaset sztuk amunicji". Nowe informacje prokuratury w sprawie Krakowa – Interia Wydarzenia). Groups in Poland that use it are mainly small circles of gun-rights and anti-government activists, according to media reports.

Motive still unclear

Nowak said investigators do not yet know the suspect's motives or inspiration and that it is too early to speak of an ideology (Ta flaga wisiała w pokoju zamachowca. Prokuratura ujawnia – Fakt). Fact-checkers at Demagog said a patch on the attacker's clothing did not prove membership in any particular military formation.

Weapons and ammunition

Investigators found four firearms in the car and on the suspect, among them two AR-15 rifles and two pistols, together with several hundred rounds of ammunition. Nowak said at least about 500 additional rounds could have been used.

Deaths and investigation

The attack on Saturday killed six people, and the attacker died early on Monday (To znaleziono w pokoju zamachowca. Prokuratura ujawnia – Wirtualna Polska). Prosecutors are continuing to examine his motives and any possible links to others.