Terrorist attack in Krakow: a gunman has opened fire on people from a car

This afternoon, the historic Main Market Square in Kraków, in southern Poland, was the scene of a criminal attack.

The Lesser Poland Voivodeship Police have confirmed that five people have been killed and that the perpetrator was shot by police and subsequently transported to a hospital. The attack began around 3:00 p.m., when an armed man driving a car entered the square and began firing at people at random. Further details regarding this criminal act are not yet known.

At 17:35 CET, the police stated that the only known perpetrator of the attack is a Polish citizen and refuted reports that had been circulating regarding the death of a police officer and the search for an additional perpetrator. They also confirmed that the individual who carried out the attack is in police custody.

NEXTA has released this video, in which the perpetrator's car can be seen being pursued by the police through the streets of Krakow, while the sound of gunshots can be heard:

🚨 BREAKING! Shooting in central Krakow: Five reportedly dead

At around 3:00 p.m., an unidentified gunman opened fire on pedestrians from a car traveling from Sławkowska Street toward Krakow’s Main Market Square.

According to preliminary reports, five people have been killed…

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) November 7, 2026

In a video shared by Visegrád 24, we see the moment a police officer shoots and kills the attacker. Twitter has blocked its embedding on websites.

Jan Molski has shared this video, which shows the scene where the attacker was taken down. We can see the attacker’s vehicle—a dark-colored Subaru Impreza—which has struck a white car. One of its tires is flat. On the ground, there are two men who appear to have been wounded: a police officer, wearing the dark-blue uniform of the Polish Police, and another man who appears to be dressed in military-style clothing (it is unclear whether this is the attacker). A ballistic helmet lies on the ground near him.

Nagranie z miejsca ujęcia zamachowca w Krakowie.

Dramat… Polska 2026 https://t.co/aodiQY7Ala

— Jan Molski 🇵🇱 (@JanMolski) November 7, 2026

UPDATED 18:16: Poland’s Minister of the Interior, Marcin Kierwiński, has stated: "Police officers in Kraków intervened, risking their own lives. They acted immediately. Thanks to their heroic actions, the assailant was quickly apprehended. One officer sustained a gunshot wound, while another is in very critical condition with three gunshot wounds. He is currently undergoing surgery."

UPDATED 18:20: The Lesser Poland Voivodeship Police have just reported the following: "Another person injured in the incident at the Main Market Square in Krakow has died. So far, 6 people have died: 4 women and 2 men."

UPDATED 21:34: The Polish Police have reported the following at 20:33 CET: "During the tragic events in Krakow, police officers confronted an armed assailant. They did not hesitate, even though they themselves were in mortal danger. Two officers were wounded. One of them is fighting for his life."

UPDATED 22:11: The Świętokrzyskie Police have reported that they found three bodies—two women and one man—at the attacker’s home in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski. This brings the total number of people murdered to nine.

UPDATED 23:03: The Polish government has declared two days of national mourning following these crimes. These will be Sunday, November 8, and Monday, November 9. Furthermore, Prime Minister Donald Tusk has indicated that the three bodies found in the attacker's home are likely those of his immediate family members. Several sources suggest that they are his parents and his sister.

UPDATED 23:10: Prime Minister Donald Tusk has released the names of the two police officers wounded in this terrorist attack: "Senior Officer Jakub Kulik and Senior Officer Artur Morański are true heroes. They likely saved many lives, without regard for the risk of losing their own. Their condition is serious, but they are receiving excellent care. All of Poland wishes you the very best."

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Main photo: PAP/Art Service