At least six people have died and another 15 have been injured this Saturday in a shooting in the historic center of Krakow, one of the most tourist cities in Poland. The Polish Police have confirmed the new death toll - four women and two men - which raises the figures initially released, and have reported that the alleged perpetrator of the attack has been arrested after an armed confrontation with the officers, three of whom have been injured. The suspect, a 25-year-old Pole, was inspired by "far-right ideologies," according to Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiski.
The governor of Lesser Poland, Krzysztof Jan Klczar, has reported that, of the 15 injured, 12 are in danger of death. As explained to Polsat News, the health services have assigned these 12 patients the red category, the most urgent in the medical classification system. The sixth fatality - initially the balance was five - died in the hospital.
The attack occurred shortly after 3:00 p.m., when a man driving a car broke into the vicinity of the Market Square, one of the city's main tourist attractions, and began shooting indiscriminately at passers-by. According to initial investigations, the vehicle was traveling along Sawkowska Street in the direction of the main square. The attacker, who acted alone, according to the Police, was wearing military-style clothing: balaclava, bulletproof vest, knee pads and tactical clothing, according to the testimony of a witness, a former police officer and councilor of Krakow. According to his story, he fired single shots, not bursts.
Numerous police patrols and emergency teams immediately moved to the scene, where a medical helicopter landed. The shots caused scenes of panic among residents and tourists, who sought refuge in nearby commercial establishments and buildings. The authorities cordoned off the area and asked the population to avoid approaching the historic center.
The arrest occurred after the agents intercepted the suspect, who tried to flee in his car until he ended up colliding with another. Upon getting out of the vehicle, the man responded to the fire of the agents, who used their weapons during the operation. Three police officers were injured in the exchange of fire. The attacker was caught and taken to hospital under police custody. His condition is extremely serious: he has undergone two surgeries.
The Police have expressly denied rumors about a second attacker and the death of an officer. Furthermore, the spokesperson for the National Police now speaks of three injured police officers, compared to the two initially reported. According to the Minister of the Interior, one of the agents is in very serious condition, with three gunshot wounds, and is undergoing surgery.
The suspect, who was driving a black Subaru without a license plate, is 25 years old and of Polish nationality, according to journalist Kacper Wróblewski's sources. He was wearing a military camouflage uniform, called Moro in Polish, and fired with an AR-15 rifle. It has not been established that he belonged to any army. It is understood that he had a weapons permit.
The Minister of the Interior added that everything indicates that the attacker had "very radical ideas" and that "many weapons were found" in the car he was driving, although searches of the vehicle and his house are still being carried out.
The Associated Press reports that police found other weapons and ammunition inside the vehicle. The man also shot at a tram, although no injuries were caused to its occupants.
At the moment, the authorities have not clarified the reasons that led him to open fire on people chosen apparently at random. Nor has it been reported that he has been able to give a statement.
The Polish Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, has assured that he is receiving permanent information from the Ministry of the Interior and that the Police are investigating all the circumstances of the attack. The Minister of the Interior, Marcin Kierwiski, has traveled to Krakow to continue investigations on the ground. For his part, Polish President Karol Nawrocki has expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and his solidarity with the injured.
The Prosecutor's Office and police teams continue to collect evidence to reconstruct the attacker's route and determine the circumstances of the shooting. Authorities have so far not confirmed any terrorist motivation. The death toll remains provisional.
An initial roar and a chaotic flight
In the square there were scenes of pure panic. Witnesses speak of an initial roar, the sound of cars colliding and, immediately, of several shots that unleashed a chaotic flight between tourists and pedestrians. People ran and took refuge as best they could in nearby arcades, premises and buildings. A woman said that, upon hearing the shots, she shouted to those who were at the stop to run with her; A tram that arrived at that moment "saved their lives" by acting as a screen, before a bullet hit the window next to the driver's cabin. Afterwards, dozens of people locked themselves in a parking lot and in municipal offices, while some women screamed in fear and a young woman, completely in shock, could barely be calmed down.
