At Least 5 Dead, More Than a Dozen Injured in Mass Shooting at Crowded Market

At least five people were killed and more than a dozen others injured Saturday when a gunman drove into a crowded historic market square in Poland and began firing at unsuspecting pedestrians, sending shoppers and tourists scrambling for safety.

The terrifying attack unfolded around 3 p.m. local time on November 7 in Krakow’s Main Market Square, one of the country’s most famous tourist destinations and a popular gathering place lined with restaurants, shops and centuries-old landmarks.

According to Polish police, the suspect drove into the square and began shooting at people seemingly at random from inside his vehicle. The sudden eruption of gunfire sparked panic as witnesses fled for cover and emergency responders rushed toward the scene.

Several police officers were among those wounded. Authorities said responding officers confronted the gunman and shot him before taking him into custody. He was subsequently transported to a hospital for treatment.

Emergency crews flooded the historic square, with ambulances, firefighters and police vehicles converging on the area. A medical rescue helicopter also landed near St. Mary’s Basilica as authorities secured surrounding streets and attended to the wounded.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed that he was receiving updates from the country’s interior minister and that investigators were working to establish what prompted the deadly rampage.

“The police are investigating the background and all the circumstances of the attack,” Tusk said in a statement on social media.

The shooting also drew a strong response from U.S. Ambassador to Poland Tom Rose, who condemned the violence and expressed solidarity with the victims and their families.

“We are just learning details of the horrific mass shooting in Krakow, a savage and murderous attack that’s shattered the peace of Poland,” Rose wrote on X, adding that America stands with Poland during the tragedy.

The bloodshed has shaken one of Europe’s best-known historic cities. Krakow, Poland’s second-largest city, attracts visitors from around the world to its medieval Old Town, where the Main Market Square has served as a bustling center of public life for centuries.

Mass shootings are relatively uncommon in Poland, making Saturday’s deadly rampage particularly alarming.

Authorities had not publicly identified the suspect or disclosed a possible motive as of the initial reports. Investigators were also working to determine the full circumstances surrounding the shooting, while officials warned that casualty figures could change as more information becomes available.

The attack remains under investigation.