Six Dead in Krakow Main Square Shooting, Suspect Arrested
SCMP · 3 SOURCESabout 6 hours ago1 MIN
Summary
A lone gunman opened fire on Saturday afternoon in Krakow's historic Main Market Square, killing six people and wounding at least a dozen others before police shot and arrested the suspect. The attacker, a 24-year-old Polish citizen wearing military-style clothing, drove onto the square and fired randomly at people before being subdued by officers .
Key Points
- Six people were killed: four women and two men, with fifteen others wounded including two police officers
- Police received reports at around 3 p.m. local time that the assailant had fired from a car approaching from Slawkowska Street
- Officers shot the suspect, who was wearing military fatigues and armed with a long gun, and discovered additional firearms and ammunition in his vehicle
- Prime Minister Donald Tusk headed to Krakow following the attack, praising police officers who "risked their lives in the line of duty"
- Deadly shootings are extremely rare in Poland, an EU and Nato member of 38 million people
Why It Matters
The attack struck at the heart of one of Poland's most beloved tourist destinations, raising questions about public safety in crowded spaces during a period when the country was already on high alert following October stabbings .
The attack struck at the heart of one of Poland's most beloved tourist destinations, raising questions about public safety in crowded spaces during a period when the country was already on high alert following October stabbings .