Six killed in Kraków Main Square shooting, Poland declares two days of mourning

The attack on the Main Square

Police say a 24-year-old suspect, identified as Michał O., drove a black Subaru onto the Main Square in Kraków at around 15:00 on 7 November and fired at passers-by. Police said he used an AR-15 rifle and carried more weapons in the car. He came from Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, and police findings show he held a firearms permit and had no previous convictions. The shooting ended at the crossing of Dietla and Stradomska streets, where police officers shot the suspect and stopped him. He is in critical condition in hospital and has undergone several operations. Photographs circulating online show him in camouflage clothing and a bulletproof vest. Separately, in the night between 7 and 8 November, police detained a 23-year-old man who had been walking along Kapelanka street with a knife.

Victims and the family home

Six people were killed. According to the Małopolska voivode's list, they include three Polish women aged 61, 47 and 53, a 32-year-old British man, a 51-year-old woman who is not a Polish citizen, and a man of about 50. The voivode said he could not give the nationality of the 51-year-old woman for the sake of the investigation, although the services know it. On the evening of 7 November, police sent a drone into the suspect's flat in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski and found three bodies: a 53-year-old man and two women aged 52 and 21. Police confirmed that they were the suspect's parents and his 21-year-old sister. Prime Minister Donald Tusk told a briefing of services and ministers:

“We have confirmation. Two women and a man are dead in the perpetrator's flat.”

Injured and hospital care

A hospital report cited by the voivode lists 16 wounded, 11 Polish citizens and five foreigners, treated in six hospitals, while other reports give 15 wounded. According to the same report, 14 of the injured are in stable condition, one is in serious condition and two have already been discharged. Senior constables Jakub Kulik and Artur Morański were wounded, and voivode Krzysztof Klęczar said one of them has been woken while the other remains in a coma. Kulik needs blood of group AB Rh+, and a blood donation station opened at 9:00 on Rzeźnicza street in Kraków, staying open until at least 14:00, with six more points across Małopolska. The Kraków Cab Drivers Association said two horse-cab drivers are fighting for their lives and several others suffered serious injuries, while the horses suffered only superficial wounds.

Stable condition14

Serious condition1

Discharged2

Stable condition

14

Serious condition

1

Discharged

2

Data from the article text

Mourning and public life in Kraków

President Karol Nawrocki declared two days of national mourning on 8 and 9 November. Kraków mayor Łukasz Gibała declared city mourning from Sunday 8 November through Wednesday 11 November inclusive. Flags on city buildings, trams and buses are draped in black or lowered to half-mast. Concerts and performances were cancelled at the National Old Theatre, Cricoteka, Kino Kijów and the Karol Szymanowski Philharmonic. The Main Square remains closed while police technicians continue their work, and a second inspection of the scenes was planned for 8 November. The hejnal from the St Mary's Basilica tower was silent from 21:00 to 09:00, a 12-hour pause. Mayor Gibała addressed residents:

“Let us not allow these events to be used by someone who wants to divide us. The square will belong to all of us again.”

Sport and the national mourning

Ekstraklasa said all matches on 8 November would be played in a subdued atmosphere, without extra shows or celebrations, and each would be preceded by a minute of silence. Marcin Stefański, operational director of Ekstraklasa SA, explained the decision:

“We cannot yield to any act of terror or attempt at intimidation.”

The Polish Basketball League said its Sunday games would be played without musical or dance programmes, also opening with a minute of silence. Legia Warsaw is scheduled to play Raków Częstochowa at 17:30 on 8 November, with entertainment around the match limited to a minimum. Jagiellonia Białystok cancelled its fan festival before its match against GKS Katowice. The Polish Football Association (PZPN) said all matches at central level this weekend will be preceded by a minute of silence for the victims.