Kraków Main Square shooting: prosecutors open terrorism probe covering nine deaths

In brief

• Polish prosecutors have opened a terrorism investigation covering the Kraków Main Square shooting and the killing of three people in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski.
• Nine people died and 16 were injured across both incidents.
• The 24-year-old suspect was wounded and detained after exchanging fire with police, and is suspected of first killing his family.

Terrorism probe covers two crimes

Prosecutors say the evidence points to one perpetrator for both crimes (Zamach w Krakowie. Pięć fałszywych narracji, które pojawiły się w internecie – Rzeczpospolita). The case has been assigned to the organised crime unit of the National Public Prosecutor's Office, which handles the most serious offences. The Kraków attack has been classified as an act of terrorism (Papież Leon XIV złożył kondolencje po strzelaninie w Krakowie – Wirtualna Polska).

Casualties

In Kraków, six people were killed and 16 wounded, among them two police officers. Across both incidents, nine people died and 16 were injured (Pięć fałszywych narracji, które pojawiły się w internecie po strzelaninie w Krakowie – Wirtualnemedia.pl) (Bohater drugiego planu z Krakowa. Tak opisał akcję – Wirtualna Polska). Authorities say several of the victims were foreign nationals. Among the six people killed in Kraków was a 51-year-old Austrian woman, the voivode of Lesser Poland said. The others included a 50-year-old Pole, a 32-year-old British citizen, a 53-year-old Polish woman, and a 47-year-old and a 61-year-old Polish woman (Cztery konie ranne podczas zamachu w Krakowie. Dorożkarze apelują o pomoc – Wirtualna Polska). Other reports listed victims from Germany, Portugal and Russia (Co z Marszem Niepodległości po ataku? Rzecznik zabrał głos – Wirtualna Polska).

Four horses pulling tourist carriages were also wounded in the square. Their injuries are not life-threatening, and local carriage drivers have appealed for help (Bazylika Mariacka zamknięta do odwołania. Kard. Ryś ogłasza zmianę w sprawie mszy – Onet).

The attack

On Saturday afternoon, a man drove a car onto the square and opened fire on people there. Police said he fired at passers-by at random with a semi-automatic long weapon resembling an AR-15-type rifle, and that more weapons and ammunition were found in his car (Obcokrajowcy wśród ofiar ataku w Krakowie. Wojewoda przekazuje nowe informacje – Onet). He exchanged fire with police, was wounded and detained.

The suspect, 24, is suspected of having first killed his parents and sister at the family home in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, where their bodies were found. Police have confirmed the family link. The motive remains unclear. Interior Minister Kierwiński said everything pointed to the shooter being influenced by far-right ideology.

Disinformation and religious services

PAP identified five false narratives that spread online after the shooting, including claims of a police absence at the scene, AI-altered images, and a supposed second attacker on the roof of St. Mary's Church. Pope Leo XIV sent condolences through Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and the Archdiocese of Kraków published them. St. Mary's Basilica remains closed until further notice because of ongoing security work. A Mass planned there was moved to St. Anne's University Collegiate Church.

Marches and security

Organisers of the Independence March in Warsaw said the event will go ahead as planned. The Interior Ministry said it had no information about plans to cancel the 11 November ceremonies. Warsaw authorities, working with police, are introducing heightened security measures.

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