Krakow Shooting: Six Dead, 15 Injured in Poland

At least six people have been killed and 15 others injured after a gunman opened fire in the Main Market Square of Krakow, southern Poland, according to police. The shooting took place on Saturday afternoon in one of the city’s busiest public areas, which is regularly visited by residents and tourists.

Authorities said the suspected attacker drove into the square at around 3 p.m. local time before firing randomly. Police identified the victims as four women and two men. The suspect was injured after being shot by officers and was taken to hospital.

The incident prompted a major emergency response, with heavily armed police officers, emergency personnel and investigators arriving at the scene. Officers were also among those reported injured, while authorities continued assessing the situation and collecting evidence.

What Happened in Krakow’s Main Market Square?

The shooting occurred shortly after 3 p.m. on November 7, 2026, in the historic centre of Krakow, near Sławkowska Street. According to police accounts, the suspect drove through the area and fired at people from his vehicle.

The attack affected several locations around the square as the vehicle moved through the busy pedestrian area. Witnesses described people running for cover and seeking shelter inside nearby cafes, restaurants and shops as gunfire rang out.

Krakow’s Main Market Square, known locally as Rynek Główny, is one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks. Surrounded by historic buildings, restaurants, cafes and tourist attractions, it is a major gathering place for residents and international visitors.

The location’s popularity meant the shooting unfolded in an area where large numbers of people could have been exposed to danger. Emergency responders had to treat victims at the scene before transporting injured people to hospitals.

Police Shoot and Detain the Suspect

Police said the suspected gunman was a 24-year-old Polish citizen. Officers confronted him after receiving reports of the shooting and exchanged gunfire with him. The suspect was wounded by police and taken to hospital for treatment.

According to police spokesperson Deputy Inspector Katarzyna Cisło, the man was wearing military-style clothing and carrying a long-barrelled firearm described as a military-type weapon. Reports also indicated that he wore a bulletproof vest during the attack.

Officers searching his vehicle discovered additional firearms and a substantial quantity of ammunition. The discovery prompted investigators to examine how the suspect obtained the weapons and whether they were legally owned.

Police said the man was the only suspected attacker and that there was no indication of additional perpetrators at large. Authorities also indicated that the immediate threat to the public had been contained.

The suspect’s injuries required hospital treatment, and reports said he continued firing during the confrontation even after being hit by police gunfire. Investigators will need to establish the precise sequence of events through witness accounts, forensic evidence and available video footage.

Police Officers Among the Injured

The attack also left police officers injured while they attempted to stop the gunman. Two officers were among the 15 people reported wounded, with their conditions described as particularly serious in reports following the incident.

One officer sustained a serious gunshot injury, while the other was reported to be in critical condition after being shot multiple times. The condition of injured officers became an important part of the emergency response as medical teams continued treating those affected.

Polish officials praised the officers who confronted the armed suspect. Their intervention brought the shooting to an end and prevented the attacker from continuing to move through the city centre.

Authorities have not publicly established a motive for the attack. Investigators are expected to examine the suspect’s background, access to firearms, movements before the shooting and any possible links or communications that could help explain his actions.

Bullet Shatters Tram Driver’s Window

The shooting also affected public transport in the area. Krakow’s municipal transportation operator reported that a bullet struck a tram travelling near the city centre, shattering the window of the driver’s cabin.

The incident was reported near Plac Wszystkich Świętych, where a tram was targeted by a person firing from a moving vehicle. Fortunately, neither the driver nor passengers were injured in the incident.

The damaged tram highlighted how the gunfire affected more than the immediate area where people were attacked. Public transport vehicles and surrounding streets were also exposed to danger as the suspect moved through the neighbourhood.

Emergency services and police officers continued working around the affected locations, securing evidence and assessing the damage. Authorities urged people to avoid areas where police and rescue personnel were carrying out their operations.

Donald Tusk and Poland’s President Respond

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said he was receiving regular updates about the shooting from Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński. In a social media statement, he described the incident as a tragic shooting and confirmed that police were investigating its background and circumstances.

Tusk’s response came as the government coordinated with police and emergency services following the attack. The incident prompted a wider security response in Krakow, with senior officials monitoring developments.

Polish President Karol Nawrocki also expressed sympathy for the victims and their families. He said his thoughts were with those killed, the injured and their relatives.

The president added that the head of Poland’s National Security Bureau was travelling to Krakow. The involvement of the national security office reflected the seriousness of the incident and the need for coordination between local and national authorities.

Prime Minister Tusk subsequently travelled to Krakow, where he was expected to receive further briefings from ministers and representatives of the emergency services.

Krakow Declares Mourning Until November 11

Krakow Mayor Łukasz Gibała announced a period of mourning across the city following the deaths. The municipal mourning period is scheduled to continue until November 11.

Gibała said a crisis management team had been established at the city hall and that emergency services were continuing their work. He appealed to residents to remain calm and act responsibly while authorities handled the situation.

The mayor also expressed sympathy for the families and loved ones of those killed. The mourning period provides an official opportunity for the city to recognise the loss of life and stand with people affected by the attack.

November 11 is Poland’s National Independence Day, making the decision particularly significant for the city as it prepares for a major national observance.

How Strict Are Poland’s Gun Ownership Laws?

Poland has a regulated firearms ownership system, and civilians generally need official permission to possess firearms. Applicants must meet legal requirements that can include demonstrating a valid reason for ownership, passing relevant examinations and obtaining medical and psychological assessments.

Permits can be issued for different purposes, including sport shooting, hunting, collecting and personal protection. The rules are designed to regulate who can acquire firearms and the circumstances in which they can possess them.

However, strict regulations do not mean that civilian firearm ownership is entirely absent in Poland. The number of registered firearms and permits has increased in recent years, reflecting growing interest in shooting sports, collecting and personal protection.

Poland’s Supreme Audit Office reported in 2026 that the number of civilian firearm permits issued by police had risen substantially, from more than 15,000 in 2020 to nearly 46,000 in 2024. The watchdog also identified gaps in the oversight system and called attention to the need for stronger risk-management measures.

The Krakow shooting is therefore likely to raise questions about firearm access, licensing checks and the monitoring of legally owned weapons. However, investigators have not established whether the firearms used in the attack were legally obtained.

That distinction is important. The discovery of weapons and ammunition in the suspect’s vehicle does not, by itself, establish how he acquired them or whether existing regulations were violated.

What Investigators Still Need to Establish

Although police have detained the suspected attacker, several important questions remain unanswered. Establishing the motive will be central to the investigation, particularly because the shooting involved random attacks on people in a busy public space.

Investigators are also expected to examine the firearms recovered from the vehicle, the suspect’s access to ammunition and whether any other individuals were aware of his plans. Forensic examinations and witness statements could help reconstruct the attack and establish the sequence of events.

Authorities will also need to clarify the circumstances surrounding the suspect’s confrontation with police, including the exchange of gunfire and the injuries suffered by officers.

The condition of the injured victims remains another important concern. Fifteen people were reported wounded, including two police officers, and some injuries were described as life-threatening in initial reports.

For Krakow, the shooting has brought a major emergency response to one of its best-known public spaces. As investigators continue their work, the city faces a period of mourning for the six people killed and the many others affected by the violence.

The motive behind the attack and the circumstances that allowed the suspect to obtain and use the firearms remain key areas of the ongoing investigation.