Poland mourns Krakow shooting for 2 days; prosecutors launch terrorism investigation

(Central News Agency, Krakow, comprehensive foreign news report on the 8th) A mass shooting occurred in the main square of the Old Town of Krakow, Poland's second largest city, yesterday, killing 6 people and injuring a total of 16 people including the gunman. Poland will observe two days of national mourning starting today, and prosecutors have also launched a terrorism investigation into the case.

According to reports from Agence France-Presse and Reuters, according to Polish authorities, the suspect was a 24-year-old Polish man who was probably incited by far-right ideology. He was still being treated in the hospital in critical condition after being shot by the police; the injured also included two police officers.

The Polish National Prosecutor's Office (National Prosecutor's Office) posted on social media that they have launched an investigation today to clarify whether the act of "using a firearm... to kill 6 people and attempt to murder multiple people, including police officers," constitutes a terrorist crime.

Poland originally prided itself on being safer than many of its Western European neighbors, but now this case has shocked the country. Krakow's Old Town is a World Heritage Site recognized by UNESCO, attracting tourists from all over the world. One of the deceased in this case has been confirmed to be a British citizen, and the other five injured are from Austria, Germany, Portugal, Russia and the United Kingdom.

A resident of Krakow said: "It's scary for me that something like this can happen in Poland, because nothing like this has ever happened in Poland. ... I think my country may enter a new period."

The main square and surrounding streets in Krakow's Old Town remained closed today. People mourned the death and placed candles in many places. Many nearby cafes also closed their operations, and flags at the city government building were flown at half-mast.

In Warsaw, the capital of Poland, the police yesterday stated that they were strengthening security measures in tourist hotspots, and roadblocks had been set up on the road leading to Kraków Suburban Street (Krakowskie Przedmiescie) in the heart of the old city.

After yesterday's shooting, the police found the bodies of his parents and one sister with gunshot wounds at the home of Ostrowiec Swietokrzyski, the suspect's hometown in the Holy Cross area about 200 kilometers north of Krakow. In addition, they also seized seven firearms and a "large amount" of ammunition.