Surgeons Save Police Officer’s Life During Kraków Mass Shooting

Kraków Market Square

Six people were killed and 16 others injured in a rare mass shooting in Kraków’s historic main square on November 7, 2026, when a 25-year-old Polish citizen opened fire from a moving car while wearing military-style fatigues and a bulletproof vest.

The violence erupted around 3 p.m. local time on Saturday as the suspect drove at high speed through the crowded central tourist area. Police eventually shot and wounded the attacker during an exchange of fire.

Prosecutors Investigate Far-Right Motives Behind the Terror Attack

Poland’s National Prosecutor’s Office launched a terrorism investigation into the attack, with officials stating the gunman was likely inspired by far-right ideology. Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński reported that the suspect held very radical and ultra-nationalistic views. Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz both publicly described the rampage as an act of terror.

Authorities also investigated three bodies found dead at the gunman’s home in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, about 120 miles northeast of Kraków. Police confirmed those victims were the suspect’s 53-year-old father, 52-year-old mother, and 21-year-old sister.

Investigators recovered 11 firearms across both sites, aligning with the number of weapons permits issued to the suspect and his father. The Times of Israel noted that the suspect had no previous criminal record and trained in static shooting at a local club, with no training in dynamic or combat tactics.

Surgeon Intervention Saves Officer

Professor Michal Pędziwiatr and Dr Mateusz Wierdak, two prominent Kraków surgeons, were having lunch with their families in central Kraków when the shooting started. Pędziwiatr told the news outlet Fakt that his son ran up to warn them that people were falling to the ground.

While Pędziwiatr tended to victims and the wounded perpetrator, Wierdak rushed to assist the police officer who had been shot in the chest during the gunfight.

Wierdak stuffed bandages directly into the officer’s chest wound to stop the bleeding while waiting for an ambulance, an action Pędziwiatr stated undoubtedly saved the officer’s life. Pędziwiatr then contacted John Paul II Hospital to ensure the injured officer was routed to thoracic and cardiac surgery specialists.

Local officials praised the swift medical response. Kleczar noted that the death toll could have been significantly higher without such intervention. Separately, six Dublin Civil Defence volunteers who were on a city break in Kraków provided emergency CPR and haemorrhage control at the scene.

Poland Enters National Mourning as Security Increases

Poland began two days of national mourning on Sunday, lowering flags to half-mast as citizens placed candles near the sealed-off market square. European flags outside the European Commission in Brussels were also lowered in solidarity. Leaders from across Europe, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, expressed condolences.

Police increased security in Warsaw following the attack. The devastation deeply rattled residents in a country widely considered one of Europe’s safest nations.