On the 8th of November, Poland declared two days of national mourning after a man opened fire in the historic center of Kraków, killing six people and wounding more than ten. The Polish government has stated that the attack was rooted in far-right ideology, reports Reuters.The shooting on the 7th of November shook a nation that has long prided itself on being safer than its Western neighbors, and it has deepened public concern regarding extremist views. Meanwhile, nationalist opposition politicians have questioned the government’s assertion that the shooting—in which 16 people were wounded—was driven by far-right ideology.Among the wounded were two police officers and the attacker—a 24-year-old man—who, according to the BBC, died in the hospital on the morning of the 9th of November.Kraków’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site that attracts tourists from all over the world. The fatalities include a British citizen and an Austrian citizen, while five other foreign nationals—from Austria, the United Kingdom, Germany, Portugal, and Russia—also sustained injuries. Police also discovered the bodies of the attacker’s parents and sister at his home, located approximately 200 kilometers north of Kraków. Prosecutor’s office representative Daniel Prokopowicz stated that it is highly likely the murders at the home and in Kraków were committed by the same individual, though the investigation is still ongoing. He noted that all three victims found at the attacker’s home bore gunshot wounds, and that weapons along with a significant quantity of ammunition were discovered on the property.On the 7th of November, Polish Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński stated that all evidence points to the attacker holding highly radical views and being linked to far-right ideology—a remark that triggered a sharp reaction from nationalist parties. Przemysław Czarnek, deputy leader of the right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party, asserted that if Kierwiński has misled the public, he should face political consequences. The party is demanding immediate explanations and access to the information upon which the Interior Minister based his statements. On the 8th of Noember, Kierwiński affirmed that he stands by his remarks, while the investigation into the attacker’s motives continues. Very little is known about the attacker, but he was a member of a shooting club.The police have currently stepped up security measures in Warsaw and other Polish cities. In Kraków, the town square and adjacent streets were closed until the evening of the 8th of November; many nearby cafes are shut, and flags at the city hall have been lowered to half-mast.
Poland mourns the victims; attacker dies in hospital
