Poland's Interior Minister Links Krakow Shooter to Far-Right Ideology

Poland's interior minister said Saturday that everything points to the gunman who opened fire near Krakow's main market square having been influenced by far-right ideology. He said that question will be part of the investigation, according to The Jerusalem Post.

Six people were killed and 15 were injured, including two police officers. Prime Minister Donald Tusk, meanwhile, urged politicians not to exploit the tragedy.

What officials have said about the suspect

Interior Minister Marcin Kierwinski made the remarks at a news briefing. He said police officers and agents of Poland's Internal Security Agency remain at the scene of the shooting and at the suspect's family home.

Police described the suspect as an unidentified Polish citizen. Law enforcement reported that he used an AR-15 rifle and wore military-style clothing. Officers also found additional weapons and ammunition in his vehicle.

According to police, the man began firing at random civilians from his car. Officers shot him, detained him and took him to a local hospital. His condition was not disclosed.

What is known about the victims

Krakow Police said four of the six people killed were women and two were men. Among the 15 injured were two police officers. No identities of the victims have been released.

A witness account from the square

A local resident told the Polish newspaper Gazeta Krakowska that his wife works at the square and saw the shooting. According to his account, she said someone was firing a gun, people panicked and ran into shops, and then, apparently, a police officer shot someone. That description is one person's secondhand recollection, and the official police account remains the main source on how the attack ended.

Tusk's response

Tusk offered condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims in a post on X. He praised the police officers who risked their lives to detain the shooter. He said an investigation is under way to establish the circumstances of the attack. He also called on politicians not to exploit the tragedy.

Why it matters: a motive inquiry and a political appeal

The interior minister's comments give the first official indication of a possible motive. They also show which authorities are involved. The presence of Internal Security Agency personnel alongside police at both the square and the suspect's family home suggests the inquiry goes beyond the shooting itself. Kierwinski framed the ideological link as a matter that will be investigated, not a settled finding.

Tusk's request for restraint points to how charged the discussion of the attack's motive could become. For residents and visitors in Krakow, the immediate facts are that the shooter was stopped and detained, and that authorities remain at the locations connected to the case.

What to watch next

Officials said the investigation is ongoing. Details still to emerge include the suspect's identity, his medical condition, the names of the victims and the exact circumstances of the shooting. Authorities have not announced a timeline for further briefings.

Earlier on Around Prague: Kraków market square massacre: death toll rises to six

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Around Prague, based on reporting by The Jerusalem Post