Poland Opens Investigation Into Kraków Shooting as Motive Stays Unclear

Polish authorities have opened an investigation into the shooting in Kraków's Main Market Square, and police have not yet given a motive, according to AFP. Police say five people were killed and about a dozen were wounded on Saturday afternoon when a man drove onto the square and fired at random people from his car.

The head of Poland's National Security Bureau is traveling to the city, President Karol Nawrocki said, as officials and foreign leaders responded to the attack.

What Polish officials have said

Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote on X that the interior minister is keeping him informed. He said police are examining the background and all circumstances of the attack, which he called a tragic shooting.

Nawrocki said he was deeply concerned and sent his thoughts to the victims, the injured and their families. He said he is in contact with the relevant authorities and expects a full explanation of what happened. "The safety of Poles is an absolute priority," he wrote.

Police told AFP that officers stopped the gunman and that he was taken to a hospital. CNN reported that police officers are among the injured. According to ANI, the suspect was wounded by police gunfire and taken to the hospital under heavy guard. Most reports put the number of injured at around a dozen, though ANI's headline referred to dozens.

What the city and emergency services are saying

ANI reported that the City of Krakow confirmed the casualties and said the incident took place near Sławkowska Street. Police were also working on Dietla Street. City officials asked residents and visitors to stay away from areas where police and rescue teams are operating, to follow emergency personnel's instructions and to call 112 if they are in danger.

Hubert Ciepły, a spokesperson for the State Fire Service in Krakow, told reporters that the service first received word of shots fired from a moving vehicle, according to ANI. The service confirmed injuries and deaths but said details were still being established. Reuters video cited by CNN showed heavily armed officers in tactical gear on the square.

International reaction

Tom Rose, the U.S. ambassador to Poland, condemned the attack on X and said America stands with Poland. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy offered condolences on behalf of the Ukrainian people. He said nothing can justify the attack and that he expects the perpetrator to face justice, ANI reported.

Why it matters: safety in a busy tourist area

The square is lined with cafes and bars and is typically busy and popular with tourists, CNN noted. For residents and visitors, the immediate effect is the city's request to avoid the areas where police and emergency crews are still working. Authorities have not announced what happens to the square in the coming days.

The attack also comes against an unusual backdrop. AFP described shootings as rare in Poland. CNN noted that, like most European Union countries, Poland has strict rules on acquiring guns, and very few people may own them or carry them in public. How the suspect obtained a weapon has not been disclosed.

Background: a country already on alert

AFP reported that Poland was on high alert after a series of stabbings in October. Tusk denounced them at the time as part of a "cult of violence." AFP also noted that Warsaw, a firm ally of Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, has repeatedly warned of Russian sabotage and hybrid warfare on Polish soil. Moscow rejects those accusations. None of the reports link the Kraków shooting to either issue, and police have not suggested a motive.

What happens next

Police are still working at the scene, and the investigation into the background of the attack is under way. Nawrocki has said he expects a full explanation. The suspect's identity, condition and possible charges have not been disclosed, and the casualty figures could change as emergency services complete their work.

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Around Prague, based on reporting by KVIA, The Journal, ANI News