A 43-year-old man has been placed under temporary arrest after firing a pneumatic weapon at a high school on Marszałkowska Street in Warsaw, claiming he was only aiming at pigeons.
Suspect Apprehended
A 43-year-old male was arrested at his residence on Gagarina Street following a shooting incident at a central Warsaw high school.
Weapon Recovered
Police seized an air gun and metal pellets during a search of the suspect's home, matching evidence found at the scene.
Unusual Defense
The suspect claimed he was aiming at pigeons and did not intend to hit the school building, despite damage to the entrance and windows.
Court Decision
A court approved a request for temporary detention, citing the potential danger the act posed to students and faculty.
A Warsaw court placed a 43-year-old man under temporary arrest on March 14, 2026, after he fired shots at a high school in the center of the Polish capital. The incident took place on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, before 10:00 AM, at a school on Marszałkowska Street. Police found damage to the school's doors and one window. The suspect was detained at his apartment on Gagarina Street a few hours after the shooting, where officers also recovered the weapon and metal pellets.
The man used a pneumatic weapon — an air gun loaded with metal pellets — to fire toward the school building. When questioned, he told investigators he had been aiming at pigeons and had no intention of hitting the school. Polish media described the explanation as shocking, with Super Express running the headline quoting his claim directly. Authorities did not accept the explanation as grounds to release him, and prosecutors pursued a temporary arrest warrant.
Marszałkowska Street is one of the main thoroughfares running through central Warsaw, lined with commercial buildings, public institutions, and schools. Warsaw is the capital of Poland and its most populous city, located in the Masovian region along the Vistula River. Incidents involving the use of pneumatic weapons in urban areas have drawn increased scrutiny from Polish law enforcement in recent years, particularly when they occur near educational facilities.
The court issued the temporary arrest order on March 14, 2026, three days after the incident. The ruling means the 43-year-old will remain in custody while the investigation continues. Multiple Polish outlets, including TVN24, Polsat News, wpolityce.pl, and Radio ZET, reported on the court's decision on the same day it was handed down. No information on the length of the temporary arrest period or specific charges filed was confirmed in the available sources.