Random shooting in Krakow kills six; police arrest suspect

Polish authorities reported on Saturday that a lone gunman killed at least six individuals and injured 15 others after opening random fire from inside a vehicle in Krakow. Police neutralized the suspect by shooting him and subsequently took him into custody. The victims included four women and two men.

Suspect details and initial reports

Krakow police stated on the social media platform X that the suspect is of Polish nationality and confirmed he is currently in their possession. No motive for the attack was immediately disclosed. Authorities noted that the shooter wore clothing with a military character and carried military-grade weapons while firing in the city's main square.

Local police spokesperson Katarzyna Cislo indicated that numerous weapons and ammunition were discovered inside the suspect’s car. Reports began reaching law enforcement around 3:00 p.m. local time (14:00 GMT), describing an armed individual targeting people randomly in the historic center of Poland’s second-largest city.

Government response and political appeals

Prime Minister Donald Tusk posted on X that he was receiving briefings regarding the incident in Krakow’s historic district, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. He issued an urgent appeal to politicians across all factions, urging them not to exploit the tragedy for political gain. A government spokesperson confirmed that Tusk traveled from Warsaw to Krakow following the event.

President Karol Nawrocki expressed deep concern over the "tragic events" in central Krakow via a post on X. He stated his thoughts were with the victims, the injured, and their families, emphasizing that security for Polish citizens remains an absolute priority. Nawrocki noted he was in contact with relevant agencies awaiting full clarification of the circumstances.

Police actions and injuries

Interior Minister Marcin Kierwinski praised the immediate intervention of police officers who risked their lives to apprehend the attacker quickly. According to Kierwinski, one officer suffered a gunshot wound, while another is in critical condition after being hit by three bullets and undergoing surgery. Two police officers were among the 15 injured during the exchange of fire with the suspect.

Video footage circulated on social media, unverified by authorities, showed civilians fleeing amidst gunfire and sirens. Another clip depicted individuals lying on blood-stained ground while bystanders attempted to provide aid. The Polish outlet Nexsta, self-described as Eastern Europe’s largest media entity, shared video purportedly documenting the shooting.

Separate incidents in Florida and Jordan

In Talahassee, Florida, multiple people were shot late Saturday near the Bragg Memorial Stadium at Florida A&M University. Local police reported 11 gunshot victims, comprising six adults and six minors. At least three individuals sustained serious injuries, while nine others were in stable condition. Police Chief Lawrence Revell confirmed no arrests had been made, citing preliminary investigations that suggested a brawl preceded the shooting in the crowded area following a football game. The university advised avoiding Perry Street, where the incident occurred on October 24 evening, though it declared the campus safe.

Meanwhile, in Jordan, the Public Security Directorate announced that unidentified gunmen attacked a church in Karak province during funeral rites on Friday, killing seven people and injuring 34. Director Obaid Al-Maaitah stated that the search for perpetrators continues. Interior Minister Mazen Faraya previously attributed the attack to a group of extremists. Official media reported that two assailants exited a car and fired continuously for five minutes using an automatic weapon and a pistol before fleeing.

Jordan’s Amman Prosecutor General Hassan Al-Abdallat imposed a publication ban on the case under Articles 39 and 225 of the Press and Publications Law and Penal Code, respectively. This order prohibits all media outlets and social platforms from disseminating information that could influence judicial proceedings, excluding official state media supervised by the Ministry of Government Communications. Prime Minister Jafar Hassan chaired a security council meeting in Karak to address what he termed a "heinous terrorist crime." Health Minister Ibrahim Al-Badour visited injured patients in the province, while officials scheduled a press conference for 5:30 p.m. local time.