Man accused of killing 6 in Kraków shooting rampage dies in the hospital
A 24-year-old gunman opened fire in Kraków’s Main Market Square, killing six people and wounding more than a dozen before being shot by police. The attacker died in hospital days later, and two officers who stopped him remain hospitalized in serious condition. Authorities characterized the assault as a terrorist act with the gunman reportedly influenced by far-right ideologies. In a grim development, the gunman’s family members were found dead in a separate city, and the case has led to murder charges against the suspect for those killings as well. The incident shook a major European tourist hub and raised questions about security and extremist threats, with officials promising a thorough investigation and stronger counterterrorism measures moving forward.
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The shooting occurred in Kraków’s Main Market Square, a historic and heavily trafficked area, during a midday rampage that drew widespread attention.
Six people were killed and more than a dozen others were injured; victims included both Polish citizens and foreigners from the UK and Austria among the dead or wounded.
The suspect, 24 years old, was shot by police on scene and later died in hospital; two officers who confronted him remained in serious condition but conscious by the following day.
Authorities described the attack as a terrorist act and noted that the gunman acted to intimidate a large crowd, with officials citing ties to far-right ideologies as part of the motive.
Police also confirmed that the gunman’s parents and sister were found dead in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyskie, about 93 miles northeast of Kraków; the suspect faced murder charges related to those killings as well.
The investigation highlighted the involvement of an automatic rifle in the attack, and officials emphasized ongoing efforts to understand the full scope of the perpetrator’s network and intent.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene as people fled and sought shelter, underscoring the sudden danger faced by residents and visitors in a popular destination.