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What we know so far after three bodies found at home of Krakow gunman
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BBC News17 minutes agoCrime3 min read

What we know so far after three bodies found at home of Krakow gunman

Gunman opens fire in Main Market Square; three bodies found at his home

Quick Look

  • A gunman killed at least six people, including a British national, and injured several others in Krakow's Main Market Square before being shot and arrested by police within three minutes.
  • Three bodies were found at the suspect's home, and Krakow's mayor declared three days of mourning.

AI-generated summary

Why It Matters

The attack occurred in Krakow's Main Market Square shortly before 15:00 local time. The suspect, a 25-year-old Polish man, was shot and arrested within three minutes of the attack beginning. Three bodies were found at his home during a police search supported by counter-terrorism police. Early investigations indicate he was inspired by far-right ideologies and described as an ultra-nationalist.

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At least six people were killed and several others injured when a gunman suspected to have ties to the far-right opened fire in central Krakow, the second largest city in Poland.

Three bodies were found at his home when it was searched by police. Here's everything we know so far.

The attack began shortly before 15:00 local time (14:00 GMT) in Krakow's Main Market Square, the bustling central point of the city.

Police said a man drove into the square before beginning to fire "at random people from his car".

Footage from the scene shows scenes of panic as people fled, with the sound of gunfire clearly heard.

A passing tram was shot at during the apparently random attack, shattering windows but no passengers were injured.

Armed officers raced to the scene and engaged in a gunfight with the attacker, who was shot within three minutes of the attack beginning, preventing a further massacre, officials said.

The gunman was shot but is alive and has been arrested.

Distressing footage authenticated by BBC Verify shows the moment a police officer confronts the suspect on the ground before firing his weapon several times.

The officer then falls to the ground, apparently having been injured himself.

Shop windows in the square have signs of damage, seemingly from bullets, with glass shards scattered along the floor.

City officials have urged people who live in the city and tourists to stay away from the area while an investigation continues.

The suspect's car, found at the intersection of Dietla and Stradomska streets, is being checked for possible explosive devices, police say. Residents of nearby buildings are being evacuated while the operation is under way.

Six people - four women and two men - are confirmed to have been killed, including a British national. Three victims are Polish and two have not been identified.

Sixteen people, including five foreigners and the attacker, were taken to hospital. Among those being treated are two police officers who were shot while detaining the attacker.

Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk later said three bodies - two women and one man - were found at the gunman's house when it was searched after the attack.

One of the police officers was described as being in a "very critical condition" by a Polish government minister after being shot three times while arresting the attacker. The officer is undergoing surgery, he added.

Polish authorities have not confirmed the names and ages of the other victims.

Police have identified the attacker as a 25-year-old Polish man but have not confirmed his name.

The suspect was wearing "military-style attire" and had a military-grade weapon, according to a police spokesperson. However, authorities have confirmed the attacker was not a soldier.

"Many pieces of weapons and ammunition were found in his vehicle", the spokesperson added.

Polish media has reported the suspect had a firearms permit and may have obtained the weapons from his family home.

A minister has said early investigations indicate he was inspired by "far-right ideologies". The minister also described him as an "ultra-nationalist" without giving further details.

His home is being searched with support from counter-terrorism police.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk is on his way to Krakow and is expected to give an address later on Saturday.

Earlier, he said he was being kept informed by the interior minister and that police were investigating "the background and all the circumstances".

Krakow Mayor Łukasz Gibała has signed an order declaring a period of mourning in the city which will last until Wednesday, November 11.

President Karol Nawrocki said he was "deeply concerned" and was awaiting "a full explanation of the circumstances surrounding these tragic events".

US ambassador to Poland Tom Rose described it as a "savage and murderous attack".

The EU's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, said the shooting was "a tragedy that will be felt far beyond Poland".

What to Watch

AI outlook — possibilities, not facts

  • Krakow Mayor Łukasz Gibała's declared period of mourning will last until Wednesday, November 11

    Very likely · Within days

  • Prime Minister Donald Tusk will give an address in Krakow later on Saturday

    Very likely · Within hours

  • Police will continue investigating the attacker's background and all circumstances

    Very likely · Within days

Open Questions

  • The attacker's name has not been confirmed by police
  • The names and ages of the other victims have not been confirmed
  • Whether explosive devices were found in the suspect's car
  • The full extent of injuries to the two police officers and other victims

Related Topics

This article was originally published by BBC News.

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