What we know so far after Krakow gun attack

ByFlorence Freeman and Emer Moreau. 7 November 2026, 17: 48 GMT.

Key points

• The attack began shortly before 15: 00 local time (14: 00 GMT) in Krakow's Main Market Square, the bustling central point of the city.
• Krakow Mayor Łukasz Gibała has signed an order declaring a period of mourning in the city which will last until Wednesday, November 11.
• Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk is on his way to Krakow and is projected to provide an address afterwards on Saturday.
• Caitlin Shasby from Newcastle arrived in Krakow yesterday with her friend Jon for a long weekend.
• Police have identified the attacker as a 25-year-old Polish man but have not confirmed his name.

At least six individuals were killed and a number of others injured when a gunman suspected to have ties to the far-right opened fire in central Krakow, the second largest city in Poland.

Three bodies were discovered at his home when it was searched by police. Here's everything we know so far. How did the attack unfold?

For context, the attack began shortly before 15: 00 local time (14: 00 GMT) in Krakow's Main Market Square, the bustling central point of the city.

Police remarked a man drove into the square before beginning to fire "at random people from his car".

Footage from the scene demonstrates scenes of panic as residents fled, with the sound of gunfire clearly heard. Follow live updates from Krakow.

For context, a passing tram was shot at during the apparently random attack, shattering windows but no passengers were injured.

Armed officers raced to the scene and engaged in a gunfight with the attacker. This person was shot within three minutes of the attack beginning, preventing a further massacre, authorities stated. The gunman was shot but is alive and has been arrested.

Distressing footage authenticated by BBC Verify demonstrates the moment a police officer confronts the suspect on the ground before firing his weapon a number of times.

In practice, the officer then falls to the ground, apparently having been injured himself.

Shop windows in the square have signs of damage, seemingly from bullets, with glass shards scattered along the floor.

City authorities have called on individuals who live in the city and tourists to stay away from the area while an investigation continues.

Notably, the suspect's car, discovered at the intersection of Dietla and Stradomska streets, is being checked for feasible explosive devices, police say. Residents of nearby buildings are being evacuated while the operation is under way. How plenty of residents have died and been injured?

Six individuals – four women and two men – are confirmed to have been killed, including a British national. Three victims are Polish and two have not been identified.

Sixteen individuals, including five foreigners and the attacker, were taken to hospital. Among those being treated are two police officers who were shot while detaining the attacker.

Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk afterwards stated three bodies – two women and one man – were discovered at the gunman's house when it was searched after the attack.

One of the police officers was described as being in a "very critical condition" by a Polish administration minister after being shot three times while arresting the attacker. The officer is undergoing surgery, he continued.

Polish authorities have not confirmed the names and ages of the other victims. What do we know regarding the suspect and motive?

Meanwhile, the suspect was wearing "military-style attire" and had a military-grade weapon, according to a police spokesperson. Nevertheless, authorities have confirmed the attacker was not a soldier.

"Many pieces of weapons and ammunition were found in his vehicle", the spokesperson continued.

Polish media has documented the suspect had a firearms permit and may have obtained the weapons from his family home.

Notably, a minister has remarked early investigations indicate he was inspired by "far-right ideologies". The minister additionally described him as an "ultra-nationalist" without giving further details. His home is being searched with backing from counter-terrorism police. How did witnesses describe the attack?

Notably, the shooting happened in one of the largest medieval squares in Europe, a busy location which is additionally a popular tourist destination.

Jonathan Balshaw from Ipswich was there with his Polish girlfriend Dominika. When the shooting began, the couple were outside St Mary's Basilica, in the corner of the square.

Jonathan remarked: We ran down the side of the church and through the side door and hid with a number of other individuals until the gunfire died down.

"A lot of shots were fired, more than 20 with it sounding like multiple different firearms – there were two distinctly different noises."

She remarked they heard shots from their hotel room but were not sure what was happening until their hotel rang them and informed them to "stay in our rooms until further notice". What has the reaction been in Poland and internationally?

Earlier, he remarked he was being kept informed by the interior minister and that police were investigating "the background and all the circumstances".

President Karol Nawrocki remarked he was "deeply concerned" and was awaiting "a full explanation of the circumstances surrounding these tragic events".

US ambassador to Poland Tom Rose described it as a "savage and murderous attack".

In practice, the EU's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, remarked the shooting was "a tragedy that will be felt far beyond Poland".

Taken together, the developments around what we know so far after Krakow gun attack point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.