Kraków Main Market Square attack kills six, including four Polish citizens and a Scottish DJ

The attack in Kraków

A 24-year-old man drove a car onto the Main Market Square in Kraków on Saturday, 7 November, and fired an automatic weapon at people around him, according to Polish reports. The attack began shortly before 15:00 local time in the city centre, a popular tourist spot. The gunman wore military-style clothing and a bulletproof vest, and he shot at random from inside the vehicle. Armed police reached the square and shot him about three minutes after the attack began. He was taken to hospital and died there on Monday, 9 November.

The victims

Six people were killed and 15 others were wounded. Four of the dead were Polish citizens, three women and a man. The other two were a 51-year-old Austrian woman and a 32-year-old Scottish DJ from Prestwick, South Ayrshire, whose formal identification had not yet taken place, according to Police Scotland.

Among the Polish dead were a 47-year-old woman volunteer and a painter from Chodzież, a woman. The 15 wounded include two police officers, a volunteer firefighter and the husband of the Austrian woman, who had come to Kraków with her. Also wounded was a 19-year-old British man from York, who is still being treated in hospital in Poland for a gunshot wound.

Polish citizens4

Austrian1

British1

Polish citizens

4 people

Austrian

1 people

British

1 people

Data from the article text

Response in the UK

Police Scotland said it is supporting the family of the Scottish victim while formal identification is completed. Its work involves the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, the UK counter terrorism policing network and Polish authorities. Detective Chief Inspector David McAlinden said:

“While formal identification is yet to take place, our family liaison officers are providing specialist support to his family in Scotland.”

At Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons, Andy Burnham said British families affected by the shooting would be supported.

“Our thoughts are with the families who we will support in whatever way we can”

Prestwick's local SNP branch paid tribute to the DJ on Facebook, offering condolences to his family and friends.

The gunman and the fundraiser

Police said three bodies were found at the gunman's home and identified them as his parents and sister, and the BBC reports he is suspected of killing all three. The Evening Standard reported that the gunman was believed to have been inspired by 'far-right ideologies'. The family of the 19-year-old said through North Yorkshire Police that he is in a stable condition and receiving ongoing hospital treatment.

An online fundraiser for the 19-year-old had raised more than £9,000 within a day of being created. Its organiser said the money is not for medical care, which is already covered, but to bring him home to the UK once he is fit to travel, likely by land because flying may not be an option. The funds will also support his mental health needs after his return.