The man suspected of carrying out a deadly shooting in Kraków's Main Square has died in hospital, Polish police confirmed on Monday. The 24-year-old Polish citizen, who was wounded during an exchange of fire with officers, had been in critical condition since Saturday.
Lesser Poland police announced the death on X, writing: "We inform you that the perpetrator of the tragic events died in hospital in the early hours of today." Krzysztof Klęczar, the Lesser Poland voivode, confirmed the news on TVN24, saying the suspect died at 4:30 AM in one of Kraków's hospitals.
The attack on Saturday afternoon left six people dead and 15 injured, including two police officers. Among the victims were four Polish citizens, one British citizen, and one Austrian citizen. The suspect, who had no prior convictions and held a valid firearms licence, opened fire in the bustling market square before being confronted by police.
Investigation expands to family deaths
Authorities have since linked the Kraków attack to the discovery of three bodies in the suspect's flat in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, a town north of Kraków. Police found the bodies of a 53-year-old man, a 52-year-old woman, and a 21-year-old woman—identified as the suspect's parents and sister. All three had gunshot wounds, according to junior inspector Kamil Tokarski, spokesperson for the Świętokrzyskie police.
Prosecutor Eryk Stasielak of the National Prosecutor's Office said autopsies of all nine victims would begin on Monday morning. Due to the nature of the wounds, the examinations could take around two days. Investigators believe the same perpetrator was responsible for both the Kraków shooting and the killings in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski.
The suspect had been described by authorities as "fascinated by far-right ideologies." Prime Minister Donald Tusk called the attack an act of "terrorism," making it the deadliest such incident in Poland since the end of communism in 1989.
As Kraków begins to mourn, the Main Square has reopened to the public, with floral tributes and candles left by residents and visitors. The city is grieving while questions remain about how the gunman obtained his weapons legally and what motivated the attack.
European leaders have expressed solidarity with Poland, with many offering condolences and support. The response from across the continent underscores the shock felt beyond Poland's borders.
The 15 injured remain in six Kraków hospitals, with their conditions described as unchanged. The investigation continues as authorities work to piece together the timeline of events and the suspect's background.
