Kraków Shooting Suspect Dies in Hospital Two Days After Attack

The 24-year-old Polish man who carried out a mass shooting in Main Market Square died in hospital on Monday morning, two days after he was critically wounded in a shootout with police officers.

The regional police announced the death of the suspect in a post on X, reporting that the perpetrator of the tragic events died this morning in the hospital. The gunman had been in critical condition since Saturday afternoon, when he drove a car into Main Market Square at approximately 3 p.m. and opened fire on crowds.

The attack left six people dead in the historic city center—four women and two men, including a British citizen—while injuring 15 others. Hours after the rampage, authorities searching the suspect’s family home in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyskie, a town about 150km northeast of Kraków, discovered three additional bodies with gunshot wounds. Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed the discovery of three bodies at the property, believed to be the suspect’s family members.

📌Premier przekazał, że policja, służby specjalne, prokuratura zrobią wszystko, żeby jak najszybciej przekazać informacje opinii publicznej o powodach (strzelaniny – PAP) – powiedział w sobotę na briefingu premier Donald Tusk. 📌- Prawdopodobnie w domu zamachowca są nieżywi… pic.twitter.com/gnV7c1TALa

— Post by @PAPinformacje on X

Speaking to TVN, national police headquarters spokesman Andrzej Fijołek stated that the individual in question is a 24-year-old hailing from Ostrowiec Świętokrzyskie. Katarzyna Cisło, a spokesperson for the Kraków police, told the Polish network TVN24 that the suspect was wearing military-style fatigues and used a military-style rifle, and authorities also found numerous other weapons and ammunition in the suspect’s car.

Police Officers Wounded in Rapid Exchange

Police arrived at the scene 23 seconds after receiving the first emergency call, engaging the gunman in a close-range shootout. Two Polish police officers were injured during the pursuit: Jakub Kulik, a former paratrooper and volunteer firefighter from Bielsko-Biala, and Artur Morański, from Powroźnik.

🔴Strzelanina w Krakowie. Jest nagranie z momentu zatrzymania zamachowca pic.twitter.com/2EXVvLEoRY

— Post by @wirtualnapolska on X

Both officers are under 30 years old. Saturday marked a tragedy in a popular tourist spot in Kraków where a Polish attacker opened fire, resulting in six fatalities and at least 15 injuries, according to Małopolska Police confirmations, with the death toll comprising four women and two men.

Kulik was struck by three bullets and underwent surgery after being severely wounded, while Morański suffered a gunshot wound to the chest. Prime Minister Donald Tusk praised their actions on X, writing that they probably saved many human lives, disregarding the risk to their own. Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek added that the swift response prevented further human casualties.

[Polish prosecutors open terrorism investigation into Kraków shooting] “Six people killed in attack probably inspired by far right, according to officials, as police say suspect’s parents and sister found dead at his home“https://t.co/JyL11Bzif5

— Post by @norionakatsuji on X

Two local surgeons, Michał Pędziwiatr and Mateusz Wierdak, who were eating nearby when the shooting started, rushed to provide emergency aid before rescue services arrived. Wierdak stopped the bleeding in the chest of the officer who had subdued the attacker, an intervention that probably saved his life, according to Pędziwiatr.

Helen McEntee, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, characterized the response of the Dublin Civil Defence as extraordinary following their assistance provided to the victims of Saturday’s shooting in Kraków.

Armed police officers in Krakow, Poland, following Saturday's mass shooting in which six people were killed. Photograph — Photo: The Irish Times

Political Reactions and National Mourning

Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński described the incident as an act of terror and noted that preliminary information indicates the suspect held very radical views and may have been fascinated by far-right ideologies.

We inform you that the perpetrator of the tragic events died this morning in the hospital

regional police, via RTE

Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz denied reports that the gunman had military ties, stating that he has never had anything to do with the military. The US ambassador to Poland, Tom Rose, shared sympathies in a post.

A shocking crime in Kraków. On behalf of the Ukrainian people, and personally, I extend my sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims. There can be no justification for this attack, and we trust the perpetrator will face justice. We wish strength and a…

— Post by @ZelenskyyUa on X

Polish President Karol Nawrocki also weighed in, stating he was deeply concerned by reports of the tragic events in central Kraków. In the wake of the shooting in Krakow, the nationalist Law and Justice party (PiS)—which held power between 2015 and 2023—decided to cancel its demonstrations that had been scheduled for today and tomorrow.

Earlier coverage: Six Killed in Krakow Mass Shooting as Three More Bodies Found at Suspect's Home

The tragic shooting in Kraków, which has claimed lives and left several people injured, is deeply saddening. My heartfelt condolences go to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives, and I wish all those injured a speedy recovery. 😞@donaldtusk, Latvia stands in…

— Post by @AndrisKulbergs on X

More on Kraków

My thoughts are with the victims‘ loved ones of the terrible #Krakow-attack. May the victims be never forgotten. Support for the authorities to investigate & to bring justice. 🖤🇵🇱 @donaldtusk @sikorskiradek @AndrzejHalicki @Adamowicz_Magda @simon_slowik https://t.co/k0qcmNdXGt

— Post by @lukasmandl on X