Gunman Fires From Car in Kraków Market Square, Killing at Least Five

A gunman firing from a moving car in the Main Market Square in Kraków, Poland, killed at least five people and injured about a dozen others on Saturday afternoon, according to the regional police. The suspect was shot by officers, detained and taken to hospital, police said.

Early reports gave lower figures, and details are still changing. Here is what the authorities and the outlets covering the story have said so far.

What happened in the Main Market Square?

Małopolska police said that at around 3 p.m. local time a man drove onto the square and began shooting at random people from inside his car, The Independent and AOL reported. AOL said video shared on social media showed a car moving through cobbled streets with police in pursuit, and bystanders running for cover.

Police said the perpetrator was detained and that emergency services were still working at the scene. They said they were dealing with a single suspect and were not looking for anyone else.

How many people were killed or hurt?

Police later said five people died and roughly a dozen were injured, according to The Independent and AOL. The Independent noted that authorities had first reported two dead and 10 injured. Police have not given an exact number of injured people.

Fire department spokesperson Hubert Ciepły said two police officers were among the injured. La Repubblica, citing Polish police via Ntv24, reported several officers among the wounded. An air ambulance was sent to the scene.

Reports differ on some points. One AOL headline mentioned three injured, while its text and police statements cited about a dozen. The Independent said it was unclear whether the wounded suspect was included in the count.

Who is the suspect?

Police have not identified him. Authorities said only that he was male and opened fire from a car. The Independent reported that widely shared, unverified footage appeared to show a man in tactical gear, including a mask, gloves and fatigues, being apprehended by officers.

La Repubblica reported, citing police, that the man was caught while trying to flee about an hour after the shooting and that he told investigators he fired at random. Other outlets described the arrest as happening sooner and did not report a statement from the suspect. That account has not been confirmed elsewhere.

Was a demonstration involved?

La Repubblica said some local media reported the shots were fired toward a crowd gathered for an anti-government demonstration near the square. The Independent and AOL did not mention a demonstration, and police have not described a motive. Police said they are examining the background and all circumstances of the attack.

What have officials said?

Prime Minister Donald Tusk said he was being kept informed by the interior minister and that police were investigating. President Karol Nawrocki said he expected a full explanation and that the head of the National Security Bureau was traveling to Kraków. He added: “The safety of Poles is an absolute priority.”

U.S. Ambassador to Poland Tom Rose condemned what he called a savage and murderous attack and said America stands with Poland.

What this means for people in and around Kraków

Kraków is Poland's second-largest city, and the shooting took place in its central square. The fire department called the area a “hot zone” an hour after the incident and urged people to stay away. La Repubblica reported that police asked residents nearby to remain indoors. Anyone due to be in the city center may want to follow local police and fire department updates for the latest on access to the area.

The motive, the suspect's identity and the final casualty figures have not been confirmed. Authorities have not announced a timetable for further updates.

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Around Prague, based on reporting by la Repubblica, The Independent, AOL.com