Suspect in Krakow shooting dies in hospital, police say
Polish police confirmed that the 24-year-old gunman suspected of killing six people in Krakow died early on Monday, and that three members of his family were found dead at his home.
Polish police said the 24-year-old suspect in the Krakow shooting died in hospital early on Monday. The attacker opened fire in the city’s Main Market Square on Saturday, killing six people – four women and two men – including a British national and an Austrian woman. Police engaged the gunman within three minutes, preventing further casualties.
Authorities identified the attacker as a Polish man but have not released his name. A government minister said early investigations suggest he was motivated by far-right ideologies and described him as an ultra-nationalist.
Police searches of the suspect’s home uncovered the bodies of his 53-year-old father, 52-year-old mother and 21-year-old sister. The victim count includes five foreign nationals; the interior ministry later listed victims from Austria, Britain, Germany, Portugal and Russia.
Sixteen people, including two police officers and the attacker, were taken to hospitals. Two surgeons who were nearby treated the injured officers on the scene. > "My colleague undoubtedly saved the life of a gravely injured police officer," one surgeon said.
Witnesses described hearing gunfire and seeking shelter. > "I yelled at my friends to run and we all sprinted for our lives," said Ruby Catherine Warren of London.
Poland announced two days of national mourning. Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who visited Krakow, said the incident represented an unprecedented act of terrorism in the country and expressed solidarity with the United Kingdom.