09.11.2026 11:02
The 24-year-old attacker who opened fire randomly in a square in Krakow, Poland, on November 7, killing 6 people and wounding 16, died in the hospital after being shot by police. The bodies of his mother, father, and sister were also found in the attacker's home, bringing the total death toll to 9. As the cause of the massacre that shook the country is being investigated, the attacker's connection to far-right views is also being investigated.
In the historic city of Krakow, Poland, a new development has occurred in the armed attack that took place on Saturday, November 7, and plunged the country into mourning. On the Main Square, one of the city's busiest points, 24-year-old Michal O., who opened random fire from his car on people around him and caused the deaths of 6 people, had been seriously wounded in a shootout with police. The attacker, who was taken to hospital, died this morning despite doctors' interventions. Poland's police announced the death, while stating that the investigation into the cause of the attack is ongoing.
HE SPREAD TERROR IN THE SQUARE WHERE TOURISTS WERE PRESENT
The attack occurred on Saturday, November 7, around 15:00 local time in the historic center of Krakow. The attacker, who entered the Main Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with his car, began opening random fire on the people around him. As gunshots were heard, great panic broke out in the square, while citizens and tourists tried to flee to nearby restaurants, cafes and safe areas.
Six people, 4 women and 2 men, died in the attack. It was announced that 4 of the dead were Polish citizens, one was British and the other was Austrian. Among the 15 injured are foreign nationals and two police officers who intervened against the attacker. One of the police officers was reported to be seriously wounded.
HE ENGAGED IN A SHOOTOUT WITH POLICE AND DIED IN HOSPITAL
The attacker, wearing military-style clothing and a steel vest, opened fire from his car and then engaged in a shootout with police teams. The attacker, who used a long-barreled weapon, was shot and neutralized during the police intervention. Michal O., who was taken to hospital seriously wounded, had been reported to be in critical condition.
Poland's police announced on the morning of November 9 that the attacker had died in hospital. Thus, it was confirmed that the 24-year-old suspect, who had been kept in intensive care for two days after the attack, had lost his life.
THE BODIES OF HIS MOTHER, FATHER AND SISTER WERE FOUND IN HIS HOME
As part of the investigation, police teams went to the family home of the attacker in the city of Ostrowiec Swietokrzyski, about 150 kilometers northeast of Krakow, and encountered a horrific scene. The attacker's 53-year-old father, 52-year-old mother and 21-year-old sister were found dead in the house.
Firearm injuries were detected on the bodies of the three people. Police teams seized 7 firearms during a search of the house. While the connection between the attack in the square and the deaths of the family members is being investigated, the prosecutor's office has included the killing of the three people in the same investigation.
HIS CONNECTION TO EXTREME RIGHT-WING VIEWS IS BEING INVESTIGATED
Poland's Ministry of Interior announced that the attacker may have been influenced by extreme nationalist and far-right views. Ministry of Interior Spokesperson Karolina Galecka stated that various emblems and symbols found on the attacker's clothing are being examined by experts. It was reported that it is being investigated which ideologies or organizations the symbols are linked to, while the exact cause of the attack has not yet been determined.
The information that the attacker had no previous criminal record and was a member of a shooting club together with his father has also entered the investigation file. The prosecutor's office has also scrutinized the suspect's procedures regarding his firearms license and his activities before the attack.
A TERROR INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN LAUNCHED
Poland's National Prosecutor's Office decided to investigate the attack in Krakow as a terrorist crime. The investigation covers not only the 6 people killed in the square, but also the attack on police officers and the deaths of 3 people found in the suspect's family home.
Authorities assessed that the attacker's action was aimed at intimidating a large number of people. The weapons, ammunition, security camera footage and other evidence seized as part of the investigation are being examined. Police are also investigating whether the attacker had any connection to an organization.
TWO DAYS OF NATIONAL MOURNING DECLARED IN POLAND
Following the attack, two days of national mourning were declared across Poland. Krakow's historic square was cordoned off with security strips, while candles were lit in memory of those who lost their lives. Flags were lowered to half-mast in the city, and citizens commemorated those who died in the area where the attack took place.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the events as a terrorist attack. President Karol Nawrocki also conveyed his condolences to the families of the victims. European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also condemned the attack and sent messages of solidarity with the Polish people.