Briton among six killed in horrific mass shooting at Polish tourist spot
Briton among six killed in horrific mass shooting at Polish tourist spot
Sam Brookes Sun, November 8, 2026 at 7:43 AM UTC
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A British national was one of six people shot dead in Krakow on Saturday by a gunman authorities suspected was inspired by far-right ideologies.
Polish defence minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz described the horrific attack in the city’s main market square as an “act of terror”.
Police said the gunman drove into Krakow’s historic quarter and began randomly firing at people, killing four women and two men. In addition to the Briton, the victims included three Polish citizens. The other two were still to be identified.
Armed officers rushed to the scene and engaged the gunman in a shootout. Two officers were injured in the shootout and one remained in critical condition after suffering three gunshot wounds.
The suspect, a 25-year-old Polish man from Ostrowiec Swietokrzyski, a town almost 120 miles north of Krakow, was shot and detained by armed officers.
A regional spokesperson told Reuters the gunman was in a “stable but very critical condition” following multiple surgeries.
In all, police said, 17 people were injured in the incident.
Following the attack, police discovered the bodies of two women and a man at the suspect’s home. Prime minister Donald Tusk announced the discovery and said they were likely the shooter’s close family members.
“We are undertaking activities at the place where the perpetrator lived, so I think we’ll know more about what those investigations bring,” police commander-in-chief Marek Boron said.
Interior minister Marcin Kierwinski said the attacker held “very radical views” and “was fascinated by far-right ideologies”.
Emergency services arrive at the scene following the shooting (AFP/Getty)
After it emerged that a British citizen was among the dead, prime minister Andy Burnham paid tribute to the victims of the attack. “I am shocked and saddened by the appalling shooting in Krakow today,” he said. “My thoughts are with the families of those who have lost their lives, everyone injured, and those affected by this senseless violence. The United Kingdom stands in solidarity with the people of Poland.”
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The FCDO advised British nationals in Krakow to “follow the advice of local authorities and monitor local media”.
In a statement, foreign secretary Ed Miliband said the government “deeply mourns the British national and other victims who have died after the appalling attack in Krakow”.
“All of my deepest condolences go to the families of the victims. The UK stands resolutely in solidarity with the people of Poland,” he said.
Investigators at the scene of the shooting on Saturday night (Reuters)
Police said the suspect wore military-style fatigues and a bulletproof vest and used a military-grade gun. They did not give a motive for the attack.
Polish media reported that the suspect’s 52-year-old father had 11 registered firearms and he owned the car, a black Subaru, that was used in the attack.
Police found a military-style backpack, magazines and a bayonet in the boot of the car, Radio Kielce reported.
Defence minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, however, said the suspect wasn’t a soldier and had no links to the military.
According to local media, neither the suspect nor his father had a criminal record. The Central Bureau for Combating Cybercrime was analysing the attacker’s online activity to see whether he belonged to radical groups.
Mayor Łukasz Gibała said Krakow would observe an official mourning period until Wednesday, but vowed that the city would remain open to visitors despite the tragedy. “The square will belong to us again,” he said.
A police officer stands guard at the site of the shooting (Reuters)
Footage posted on social media by witnesses showed people running away from the square to take cover on small streets nearby as well as first responders trying to resuscitate victims.
In one video, a police officer was seen repeatedly shooting the attacker, who was lying on the street, only to later slowly collapse himself to the ground.
The Krakow market square is typically busy with horse-drawn carriages and is popular with tourists.
Source: “AOL Breaking”
