Kraków shooting: six dead and at least 15 injured near Main Square

In the centre of Kraków, near the Main Square on Sławkowska Street, an unidentified man in camouflage opened fire on passers-by from a black Subaru. According to police, six people were killed and at least 15 more were wounded, including two police officers. The attacker was detained after an exchange of fire. He was also wounded.

What we know about the attacker

Witnesses said the car drove into the historic part of the city and a masked man fired from it at random people. Eyewitnesses describe the shooting as “machine-gun fire” and estimate that 20 to 30 shots were heard. People fled in panic and hid in nearby bars and cafés. “I thought it was fireworks. Then everyone suddenly started running in different directions, and my friend and I quickly ducked into a bar,” eyewitness Filip Włodarz told the television channel Polsat News.

Police stopped the car, which had no licence plates, on Dietla Street not far from Wawel Castle. The attacker got out and began shooting at the officers. He and two police officers were wounded in the exchange. According to RMF FM radio, he is 25 years old and Polish. He had no documents on him, and his identity was established during investigative work, the Onet news portal reports.

It is still unclear exactly what weapon was used. Onet notes that, judging by a blurry photo taken after the arrest, it may be a German Heckler & Koch HK416 assault rifle in 5.56 mm calibre, but the model cannot be determined with certainty from a photo.

Shots at a tram and injuries on Stradomska Street

Gazeta Wyborcza, citing the city transport company, reports that the attacker also fired at a line 1 tram. A bullet shattered the glass in the driver’s cab, but according to available information neither the driver nor the passengers were hurt. Witnesses say there was also shooting at the intersection of Stradomska and Dietla streets, where more people were wounded. It is not yet clear whether the two incidents are connected.

The condition of the victims is serious: 12 of the 15 wounded are in critical condition, said Krzysztof Jan Klęczar, the voivode of Lesser Poland. According to Polish Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński, one of the police officers suffered a single gunshot wound and the other was hit three times; he is undergoing surgery and his condition is very grave. The minister said the attacker was apprehended quickly thanks to the heroic actions of the police.

Numerous patrols, city guard officers and ambulances arrived at the scene, and the wounded were given first aid right on the pavements. A medical helicopter landed over the Main Square. The square has been cordoned off, and police are urging residents to stay indoors. A peaceful anti-government demonstration was taking place a few hundred metres from the scene at the time.

Reaction from the authorities and the Czech angle

Justice Minister and Prosecutor General Waldemar Żurek called the incident a “huge tragedy.” Polish President Karol Nawrocki expressed condolences to the families of the dead and support for the wounded; the head of the National Security Bureau has been sent to Kraków. Prime Minister Donald Tusk said police are examining the background and all the circumstances of the attack. Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš declared his full support for Poland and Tusk at this difficult moment.

The Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs, according to a spokesperson, has no information so far that any Czech citizens are among the dead or wounded.

Around Prague, based on reporting by seznamzpravy.cz