The suspect in the massacre at Krakow's main square in Poland died this morning (Monday) in hospital, after being wounded in an exchange of fire with police who arrived at the scene of the shooting. Polish police confirmed the death of the 24-year-old, who is suspected of murdering six people and wounding many others in an attack that took place on Shabbos afternoon.
According to the authorities' statement, armed officers who were called to the scene confronted the shooter and opened fire on him within approximately three minutes of the start of the attack. The rapid intervention, officials said, prevented even greater harm to those present in the square.
Six people were murdered in the shooting, four women and two men. Among the dead are four Polish citizens, a British national and an Austrian woman. The incident took place shortly before 3:00 p.m. at the Main Market Square, one of the busiest and most well-known areas in the city.
But the scope of the case expanded after police raided the suspect's home. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk revealed that three additional bodies were found at the location: two women and a man. Police later confirmed that the victims were the suspect's 53-year-old father, 52-year-old mother and 21-year-old sister. The circumstances of their deaths are part of the ongoing investigation.
Meanwhile, Polish media reported that the young man held a firearms license and that the weapon he used may have come from his family's home.
The investigation has also raised suspicion of an ideological motive. A Polish government minister said preliminary findings indicate the young man was influenced by far-right ideologies, describing him as an extreme nationalist. Authorities have not yet released further details about his views or the factors that influenced him.
In total, 16 people were evacuated to hospitals, including five foreign nationals, two police officers and the suspect himself. Among the wounded were citizens of Austria, Britain, Germany, Portugal and Russia.
Eyewitness accounts from the scene describe moments of panic as gunshots rang out in the square. A British tourist said she screamed at her friends to run, and the group fled until they found a hotel where they could take shelter. Another tourist, who was at a McDonald's near the square, said he heard numerous shots and saw people fleeing and seeking cover.
