Polish Police Report Five Killed in Krakow Main Market Square Shooting

POLAND — Local police confirmed reports of shots fired in Krakow’s Main Market Square on November 7, the U.S. Embassy in Poland said in a security alert that day, and advised U.S. citizens to avoid the area while the situation was monitored.

Małopolska regional police stated that five people were killed and about a dozen injured, including two police officers, after a man drove a car onto the square around 3:00 PM local time and began firing at random from the vehicle.

Police said the perpetrator, who was wearing military-style attire and used a long military-type weapon, was shot by officers during the arrest, returned fire wounding two officers, and was transported to hospital.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk said he was being kept informed by the interior minister about the tragic shooting and that police were investigating the background and all circumstances of the attack.

Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński was heading to the scene, a ministry spokesperson said.

Locations Affected

• The shooting occurred in Krakow’s Main Market Square, also known as Rynek Główny, in the historic center of Krakow, Poland.

• Approximate coordinates are 50.061 N, 19.937 E, derived from the named square’s central location because no precise impact point was released.

• Emergency services also operated on nearby Dietla Street.

Latest Developments

• The U.S. Embassy in Poland issued a security alert on November 7 confirming local police reports of shots fired in Krakow’s Main Market Square and advising avoidance of the area.

• Małopolska police reported five people killed and about a dozen injured, including two officers, with the suspect shot by police and hospitalized after firing from a car around 3:00 PM local time.

• Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that police were investigating all circumstances of the tragic shooting and that he was receiving updates from the interior minister.

• Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński was heading to the scene, a ministry spokesperson said on November 7.

Official Statements

• U.S. Embassy in Poland, November 7: “Local police confirmed reports of shots fired in Krakow’s Main Market Square. Avoid the area at this time. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates.”

• Prime Minister Donald Tusk, November 7: “I am being kept informed by the Minister of the Interior about the situation in Kraków following the tragic shooting. The police are investigating the background and all the circumstances of the attack.”

Małopolska police statements reported five killed and about a dozen injured, with the perpetrator shot by officers and transported to hospital. A ministry spokesperson confirmed the interior minister was traveling to the scene.