Six people died and 15 were injured in a shooting in Krakow, Poland, on November 7, 2026. Police later discovered three more bodies at the home of the 25-year-old Polish suspect, who is currently hospitalized after being shot by officers.
The incident, which Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has called a terrorist attack, occurred just before 3 PM local time in Krakow’s main market area. The suspect, believed to hold “extremely radical right-wing” views, used an AR-15 style rifle. Police recovered several other weapons and ammunition from his vehicle.
Background
- Gun violence incidents are extremely rare in Poland, and a mass shooting of this type had never occurred before.
- Poland has one of the lowest gun ownership rates in Europe, though a record 50,709 licenses were issued last year.
- Krakow is Poland's largest tourist destination, receiving over 16 million visitors last year, and is considered one of Europe's safest cities with a low crime rate.
Among the six fatalities were four women and two men. Three of the deceased were Polish women, and one was a British citizen; the identities of the other two have not been released. The 15 injured include two police officers and five foreign nationals. One of the injured officers is in serious condition and has undergone surgery.
Police said the suspect drove into the market area and began firing indiscriminately from inside his car at people on the street. A moving tram was also shot at, shattering its windows, but passengers were unharmed.
Armed police teams arrived at the scene shortly after the attack began. Officers engaged in a shootout with the gunman, and authorities said police shot and apprehended the suspect within three minutes of the attack’s start, according to the BBC.
The three additional bodies found at the suspect’s home are believed to be family members – two women and one man. The connection between these deaths and the main shooting incident has not yet been fully detailed by authorities.
Krakow Mayor Lukasz Gibala announced that the city would observe official mourning until Wednesday. Following the attack, Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski stated that security measures, including roadblocks on main streets, would be increased in the capital.
What happens next
Police and internal security agencies are investigating the incident. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has stated he will release information regarding the motive behind the attack.
