Kraków shooting video: police stop gunman who killed six people

Witnesses to Saturday's shooting in Kraków have filmed on their phones what appears to be its final moments: two police officers stopping an attacker who had earlier killed six people and wounded at least fifteen. The footage was shot through glass and shows a shootout between three men.

What the recordings show

In the first video, the gunman's car speeds into a vehicle ahead of it at an intersection and comes to a halt. A police car pulls up behind, and two armed men jump out. At that moment the attacker gets out of his own car and aims a pistol at the officers. Both officers fall to the ground, one after the other. One stays down, while the other gets up after a while and walks toward the assailant, who is lying on his back on the pavement.

The second video was filmed from closer up. One of the officers gets to his feet and walks unsteadily toward the gunman. It is not clear from the footage whether only the officer is firing at such close range, but seven shots can be heard. The attacker is still moving and covers his face with his hands, then lifts his head to look at the officer before lying motionless.

The officer backs away a few steps and sinks to his knees. He pulls out a piece of cloth, probably a tourniquet, and ties it around his right arm all the way up to the shoulder, then lies down on the ground. Sirens can be heard in the background throughout.

What the authorities say

Polish Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński said the officers in Kraków acted at the risk of their lives and that it was thanks to their heroic actions that the attacker was swiftly detained. According to him, one officer suffered a gunshot wound, while the other has three and is in very critical condition, undergoing surgery. “We are praying that he survives,” the minister added. The gunman himself is also in hospital.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Poland has never before faced such a brutal act of terrorism. He named the two wounded officers as Jakub Kulik and Artur Moranski. It cannot yet be confirmed that they are the ones seen in the videos. According to Tusk, they “probably saved many lives without thinking about the risk to their own.” Both are in serious condition but are receiving excellent care, and “all of Poland is keeping its fingers crossed for you.”

Around Prague, based on reporting by seznamzpravy.cz