Kraków Shooting Suspect Dies in Hospital After Killing Six in Poland

Kraków Gunman Dies in Hospital

The 24-year-old Polish national who opened fire in Kraków’s busy Main Market Square on Saturday, killing six people and wounding 15 others, died in the hospital on Monday morning, 1News reported.

The suspect had been in critical condition and underwent multiple surgeries after police shot him to end the rampage in Poland’s second-largest city. Prime Minister Donald Tusk called the shooting an act of terrorism, according to the NZ Herald. Authorities initially investigated the attack as a possible terrorist incident.

Investigation into Suspect Motives

Polish prosecutors announced on Monday that they currently have no evidence tying the gunman to any specific political ideology. National prosecutor’s office spokesperson Przemysław Nowak stated at a press conference that it is far too early to comment on motives and that no obvious symbols linked to far-right or far-left movements were found, as reported by The Guardian.

This stance contrasts with initial statements from interior ministry officials on Saturday, who reported that the attacker held ultra-nationalistic views and was fascinated by far-right ideologies. An interior ministry spokesperson told Polish radio that emblems and patches on the suspect’s clothing remain under analysis.

Family Home Discoveries

Following the market square attack, authorities searched the suspect’s family home in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, located about 120 miles northeast of Kraków. Police discovered the bodies of the gunman’s 53-year-old father, 52-year-old mother, and 21-year-old sister inside the residence. Investigators stated that all three family members likely died from gunshot wounds.

Media reports indicated the suspect had a valid firearms permit and may have accessed weapons from his family home. Investigators seized 11 firearms during the property search. The suspect and his father were members of a local shooting club, according to records reviewed by authorities.

Six Die and Fifteen Are Wounded in Market Square Attack

The six fatalities in the market square included four Polish nationals, an Austrian woman, and a British man. Among the 15 wounded were citizens from Austria, Britain, Germany, Portugal, and Russia. By Monday, regional authorities confirmed that the injured individuals were in a stable condition.

Two police officers involved in the shootout, Jakub Kulik and Artur Morański, were publicly praised for their rapid response that ended the attack within three minutes. Medical personnel at the scene, including Dr. Mateusz Wierdak, were also cited by officials for administering emergency aid when ambulances had not yet arrived.

Gun Licensing Review

In response to the tragedy, the Polish Interior Ministry announced a comprehensive review of gun licensing conditions. The updated framework will require regular updates to licence-holders’ medical records. Official police statistics show that more than 50,000 new permits were issued in 2025, bringing the total number of licensed gun owners in Poland to 411,000.

Kraków Mayor Łukasz Gibała declared a period of municipal mourning through November 11, and national flags were lowered to half-mast during two days of national mourning across Poland. Local residents and mourners gathered in the Main Market Square on Sunday evening, leaving candles and flowers near the site of the shooting.

Unanswered Questions Remain

Prosecutors continue to examine whether the 24-year-old acted alone or received assistance, and officials are still analyzing the emblems and patches found on the suspect's clothing.

Earlier coverage: Kraków Mass Shooting Gunman Dies After Killing Six in Poland