Krakow, Poland: What is known about the fatal shootings

It is the worst shooting incident in Poland in decades: a gunman killed six people and injured at least 15 others in the historic old town of Krakow. Prime Minister Donald Tusk spoke of an act of “terrorism” (more here). President Karol Nawrocki announced nationwide national mourning for Sunday and Monday. What is known so far about the fatal shots in Krakow - and what is not:

What happened

Shortly before 3 p.m., a gunman opened fire from a moving car on the Great Square, Krakow's main market square. The police said he shot "indiscriminately at passers-by." He used a semi-automatic long gun, similar to an American AR-15 assault rifle. Many more weapons and ammunition were found in his car, a police spokeswoman said.

According to media reports, while fleeing the crime scene, the shooter's car collided with another car at an intersection. The attacker then jumped out of his vehicle and shot at the emergency services. They returned fire and hit the perpetrator. He was able to be overpowered and was taken to hospital injured.

The securing of evidence at the crime scene should last until at least Sunday, said Justice Minister Waldemar Zurek. Witnesses were asked to report to the nearest police station.

What is known about the victims?

Six people were killed in the market square incident. According to police, there are four women and two men. Interior Minister Kierwinski said one of the fatalities was a foreign national. Police chief Marek Boron spoke of one Briton and three Poles; two people still need to be identified.

Among the injured are two police officers and five foreigners, including one person from Germany, a spokesman for the Polish Interior Ministry said. Injured people also come from Austria, Portugal, Russia and Great Britain.

What is known about the shooter?

According to official information, the shooter is a 24-year-old Pole from the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship in the southeast of the country. The investigators assume that the attacker was a lone perpetrator and denied reports of a search for a possible accomplice. According to initial findings, the man is said to have held "very radical views," as Poland's Interior Minister Kierwinski said. There are signs that he was fascinated by right-wing extremist ideologies, although this still needs to be further examined (more here).

After his exchange of fire with the police, the attacker was treated with life-threatening injuries in a Krakow hospital and underwent multiple operations.

What we don't know yet

Why the shooter opened fire and the history of his crime is still part of the investigation. It is also unclear who the dead people in his house are.

Tusk emphasized that police, security authorities and prosecutors would do everything they could to provide information about the shooter's motives as quickly as possible.

This is how politics reacts

Prime Minister Tusk spoke of a “horrible attack on the lives of people here in Krakow.” On