Kraków shooting latest updates: six killed and more than a dozen injured, police say

Krakow’s mayor, Lukasz Gilbala, has declared a period of mourning in the city until Wednesday.

A 67-year-old man called Julek told Reuters that he saw a dark car appear suddenly before the driver started shooting at a group of people and drove off.

“If we had been two minutes earlier, we might have been shot,” he said.

An update from Poland’s interior ministry who said two officers were wounded in the shooting, with one seriously injured.

Poland’s PM Donald Tusk wrote on X: “My deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims of the tragic attack in Kraków. The highest praise for the heroic police officers who risked their lives. And a heartfelt appeal to politicians of all stripes: do not exploit this tragedy. We will establish all the circumstances of this crime.”

A man who gave his name as Konrad, and witnessed the shooting, told news website Interia: “I saw shots being fired from the driver’s side window, and smoke was coming out. I ran to the police station in the main market square; when I burst inside, it was full of people hiding on the floor.”

Małopolskie region governor Krzysztof Jan Kleczar told Polsat News that 12 of those injured are in a life-threatening condition.

The number of people killed in the shooting in Poland has risen to six, the regional Malopolski government said.

There are also at least 15 people injured.

Poland’s president Karol Nawrocki said his thoughts are with the victims of the shooting in Krakow, which has left five people dead.

“I am deeply concerned by reports of the tragic events,” Nawrocki wrote on social media.

He added he remains in contact with authorities and expects “a full explanation of the circumstances”.

The head of the national security bureau is also on his way to the city.

“Nawrocki said: “The safety of Poles is an absolute priority.”

The gunman fired shots from a passing car near Slawkowska Street in the main square, according to local reports.

They were then shot by police officers and detained near the intersection of Dietla and Stradomska streets.

News website Onet, citing police, said: “The man had no identification documents with him. The police were able to establish his identity through operational work.”

Małopolska region police said the perpetrator is Polish, rebuking conspiracy theories on social media.

They also denied reports that another perpetrator was at large.

Courtesy of my colleague Jakub Krupa. Małopolska region police told tvn24 the Krakow attacker, who is injured in hospital, wore “military style” clothing and used “military type firearms”. More weapons have been secured in his car.

He added the incident has been contained with no other suspects.

The Polish defence minister, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, has also released a statement:

Tragic shooting in Kraków’s Main Market Square.

For us, the residents of Kraków and the Małopolska region, these are particularly difficult times.

I am in contact with the Minister of the Interior, the Voivode and all the emergency services.

All the circumstances and motives behind this incident will be thoroughly investigated.

I extend my deepest condolences to the victims’ families and loved ones.

Police started to receive reports at around 3 p.m. (1400 GMT) that someone in a car had been shooting randomly people who entered the square, a police spokesperson said.

“According to information from police officers, the man was wearing military-style attire,” the spokesperson told reporters.

“During the arrest, officers used their weapons, but the man returned fire; as a result, two police officers are among the injured.”