A gunman killed six people and injured two police officers in a shooting at Krakow’s main market square on Saturday, November 7, 2026. The assailant drove a vehicle into the popular tourist area shortly before 3:00 p.m. before opening fire and engaging in a shootout with responding law enforcement.
Polish authorities identified the suspect as a 25-year-old Polish citizen who held a firearms license and used an AR-15 rifle during the attack. Interior Minister Marcin Kierwinski stated that investigators believe the suspect was influenced by far-right ideology. Following the shooting, the suspect was hospitalized after being shot by police.
The fatalities included four women and two men. Poland’s police chief, Marek Boron, confirmed that one victim was a British national and three were Polish citizens, while two remain unidentified. Additionally, Prime Minister Donald Tusk reported that three people—two women and one man believed to be the suspect's close family members—were found dead during a search of the individual's home.
Witnesses at the scene described hearing approximately 20 shots and seeing a black Subaru enter the square. One witness told TV Republika the gunman wore a mask and goggles and appeared to take deliberate shots. Pedestrians and tourists reportedly sought cover in nearby shops and a local police station as officers barricaded the surrounding streets.
For residents and visitors in Krakow, the immediate change involved the closure of the main market square and the presence of the Internal Security Agency alongside local police. Those in the area experienced a transition from a typical Saturday afternoon to a security lockdown, with police barricades affecting movement near Grodzka Street. The use of a legally licensed AR-15 in a public shooting may prompt internal reviews of firearm regulations and monitoring of individuals associated with specific ideologies.
The knock-on effects include a period of national mourning scheduled for Sunday, November 8, and Monday, November 9. The investigation now extends to the Internal Security Agency to determine the suspect's motives and any potential connections to broader groups. Polish authorities have not yet released the names of all the victims or the suspect, and further details regarding court appearances or formal charges for the hospitalized suspect have not been reported.