A shooting in the historic centre of Krakow, Poland, has left six people dead and 15 others injured after an armed man opened fire on pedestrians in the city’s busy Main Market Square. The attacker reportedly fired from a moving car, targeting people at several locations before police officers confronted him and brought the incident to an end.
The attack took place at approximately 3 p.m. local time on Saturday in one of Poland’s most popular tourist destinations. Four women and two men were killed, according to authorities. The injured included two police officers, one of whom was reported to be in critical condition following the confrontation.
Police said the suspected gunman was a Polish citizen in his twenties. He was shot and wounded by officers during the incident and subsequently taken to hospital for surgery. Authorities said he was in police custody.
The shooting has shocked the country, where mass shootings are relatively uncommon, and prompted renewed concerns about public safety and access to firearms.
Gunman opened fire from a moving vehicle
Poland, Krakow. Main Market Square. Terror attack. This video shows the aftermath. The shooter’s car stopped after crashing. On the ground, the man in camouflage – believed to be the attacker, shot by police. Around him, other people injured on the ground, bystanders trying to help them while police secure the area. Many dead and many injured.
— RadioGenoa (@RadioGenoa) November 7, 2026
According to Krakow police, the attacker drove a vehicle into the Main Market Square and began shooting at random people. The gunfire reportedly occurred at multiple locations as the vehicle moved through the busy central area.
The square is a major attraction in Krakow’s Old Town, surrounded by historic buildings, restaurants, cafes and shops. It is regularly crowded with residents and international visitors, particularly during weekends.
Police spokesperson Katarzyna Cisło said the suspect was wearing military-style clothing and a bulletproof vest. He reportedly used a military-type long firearm during the attack.
Authorities also discovered additional weapons and ammunition inside the vehicle he had been driving. Investigators were examining the weapons and their legal status, while police worked to establish how the suspect obtained them.
Witness accounts and videos shared on social media showed people running away from the square as emergency services arrived. Several individuals reportedly sought shelter inside nearby buildings and businesses.
A tram driver also reported that his vehicle had been fired upon by a man in a moving car near the main square. The incident damaged the window of the driver’s cabin.
Police officers injured during confrontation
The gunman was confronted by police after the initial shooting. Officers exchanged gunfire with him, leaving the suspect wounded before he was taken into custody.
Poland’s Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński confirmed that two police officers were among those injured. One suffered a gunshot wound, while another sustained multiple gunshot injuries and required emergency surgery.
Police said the attacker continued firing even after being wounded. They also stated that he appeared to have acted alone and that there was no confirmed second suspect.
The rapid police response became a central part of the government’s public account of the incident. Officials praised the officers who intervened, saying their actions helped prevent further casualties.
Emergency medical teams, ambulances and a medical rescue helicopter were deployed to the scene. Authorities urged members of the public to stay away from the affected area while police and investigators carried out their work.
Authorities examine possible extremist motive
The suspect’s background and possible motivation became major areas of the investigation.
Interior Minister Kierwiński said the attacker held radical and ultranationalistic views. He indicated that investigators were examining possible links between the suspect’s ideological beliefs and the shooting.
Authorities have not, however, established a definitive motive. The investigation is continuing, and officials have cautioned against drawing final conclusions before the evidence has been examined.
Polish Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz described the shooting as an act of terror, reflecting the seriousness with which the government is treating the incident.
Police are examining the suspect’s weapons, ammunition, vehicle and personal background. Investigators are also reviewing available video footage and witness accounts to reconstruct the sequence of events.
In a further development, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that three bodies had been discovered at the suspect’s home in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, approximately 150 kilometres from Krakow. The deceased were identified as two women and one man believed to be close relatives of the suspect. Authorities were investigating the circumstances surrounding those deaths and whether they were connected to the Krakow attack.
Six victims include women and men
Authorities confirmed that four women and two men were killed in the shooting. Among the victims was a British citizen, while the nationalities of the remaining victims were being established.
Several foreign nationals were also among those injured, highlighting the international nature of the crowd in Krakow’s historic centre.
The city attracts millions of visitors every year. Its Main Market Square is one of Europe’s largest medieval town squares and a central location for tourism, cultural activities and public gatherings.
The attack disrupted normal activity in the area, with police cordoning off sections of the square and emergency personnel working among damaged vehicles and other evidence.
Krakow Mayor Łukasz Gibała announced a period of official mourning in the city. He also said the city would continue to welcome visitors despite the tragedy.
Poland increases security after the attack
The shooting has raised questions about public security in Poland, particularly because large-scale shootings are relatively rare in the country.
Poland has approximately 37 million residents, and around 411,000 people hold firearms permits, according to figures cited in reports about the incident. Interest in legal gun ownership has increased in recent years, but the authorities have not yet established whether the weapons used in Saturday’s attack were legally obtained.
The incident has also prompted security measures beyond Krakow. Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski announced increased precautions in the Polish capital, including the installation of road barriers along major streets in the Old Town.
Prime Minister Tusk travelled to Krakow after receiving updates from security officials. President Karol Nawrocki expressed condolences to the victims, injured people and their families.
Leaders from other European countries also conveyed messages of sympathy. The shooting has drawn international attention because of its location in a prominent tourist centre and the scale of the casualties.
Investigation continues amid national mourning
Polish authorities are continuing to investigate the attack, including the suspect’s background, the origin of the firearms and the circumstances surrounding the three deaths reported at his home.
The city has announced mourning arrangements, while police and security agencies continue to assess whether any additional security risks remain.
For the families of the six victims, the immediate priority is grieving their losses and receiving information from authorities. Those injured in the shooting are receiving medical attention, with some reported to be in serious condition.
The incident has left Krakow facing an unprecedented tragedy in one of its best-known public spaces. As investigators work to establish the full circumstances, the government has promised to clarify the motive and all relevant details.
For now, the confirmed toll stands at six dead and 15 injured, while the suspect remains in police custody under medical supervision.
