The key facts
- Polish prosecutors are handling the Kraków shooting case, covering two episodes, as a terrorist act
- Six people died on the square and three relatives of the suspect were killed; 16 people were wounded
- November 8 and 9 have been declared days of national mourning in Poland
Case reclassified as terrorism
Polish prosecutors are investigating the mass shooting in Kraków as an act of terrorism. According to the investigation, the attacker acted with the aim of intimidating the population on a mass scale — this is precisely what became the basis for such a classification. This was reported by representatives of the Polish prosecution service, whose words were relayed by the local outlet LoveKraków (retold by Life.ru).
Two episodes and the course of events
The investigation covers two episodes: the killing of six people and the attempted murder of others on Kraków's Main Market Square, as well as the death of three relatives of the suspect, whose bodies were found in his apartment in the city of Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski. Law enforcement is also examining the preparation of the attack and the circumstances of how the weapons were obtained.
What happened on November 7
The tragedy occurred on November 7: a 24-year-old man drove a car onto Kraków's main square and opened fire on random passers-by. Six people were killed and 16 more were wounded, including the attacker himself. After the shooting, he tried to flee, engaged in a shootout with police officers, was wounded and detained; he underwent surgery in hospital. In his home, police found the bodies of his 53-year-old father, 52-year-old mother and 21-year-old sister with signs of gunshot wounds, and during a search seized seven firearms.
The injured Russian citizen and mourning
Among the victims was a Russian citizen: as Life.ru reported, citing the Russian embassy, diplomats contacted her relatives and arranged coordination with local medical facilities. November 8 and 9 have been declared days of national mourning in Poland.
