Six dead, 15 wounded in Krakau shooting by right-wing extremist

A man shot at passers-by from a moving car on Krakau's central market square on Saturday afternoon, killing at least six people and wounding 15 others, according to police. Four women and two men were among the dead, and three police officers were among the injured. Twelve of the wounded were in critical or life-threatening condition in the evening.

The suspect, identified by the interior ministry as a 24-year-old Polish citizen named Michal O., wore a uniform and carried several weapons, including a military-style long rifle. He was seriously wounded during his arrest and remains in police custody.

“Everything points to that, and also that it was a lone perpetrator.”

Interior Minister Marcin Kierwinski said the attacker appeared fascinated by right-wing extremist ideologies and that everything pointed to a lone perpetrator. Police dismissed reports of a possible second assailant.

One of the six victims held foreign citizenship, Kierwinski said at the scene. Of the 16 people taken to hospital, five were not Polish nationals, though the minister gave no further nationalities.

A tram was also struck during the shooting, with its driver's cabin window shattered, but no one aboard was hurt. Witnesses described chaotic scenes as people ran in all directions and overturned tables were seen.

Police, rescue helicopters and ambulances responded to the main square. An air rescue helicopter landed at the scene while emergency services worked in the city centre.

Authorities have not disclosed a motive beyond the suspect's apparent ideological fascination, and the investigation continues.