The key facts

  • On Saturday, a gunman opened fire on people near Kraków's Main Square: 6 dead and 16 wounded
  • The bodies of the 25-year-old suspect's parents and sister were found in his home; he himself was wounded by police and is in critical condition
  • Poland declared a two-day national mourning period starting Sunday; EU flags are at half-mast

Shooting near the Main Square and flags at half-mast

The flags of the European Commission have been lowered in memory of the victims of the shooting in Kraków, which took place on Saturday afternoon near the Main Market Square — a popular tourist spot where a gunman opened fire on civilians. Six people were killed and 16 were wounded. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced this on Sunday on the social network X, writing that 'Europe woke up in grief and bewilderment' after the attack, and that the flags were lowered 'in honour of the victims and the brave first responders.' According to her, the flags symbolise solidarity that is 'stronger than hatred, stronger than extremism.'

The suspect and the circumstances

Police wounded the 25-year-old suspect, who remains in critical condition. The bodies of three more people were found in his home — according to the police, they are the suspect's parents and sister. Poland's Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński stated that preliminary data point to the influence of far-right ideologies on the suspect, but these signs still need to be verified. The investigation into the circumstances of the attack is ongoing. A two-day national mourning period began in Poland on Sunday, with flags lowered across the country.