As of November 7, 2026, 11:55 AM New York time. This is a developing story.
Emergency services received the first reports of gunfire at around 3:00 PM local time (9:00 AM in New York). According to the Małopolska regional police, a man drove a car onto Krakow’s Main Market Square from Sławkowska Street and began shooting at random people. On a Saturday afternoon, the square and the surrounding streets were busy with residents and tourists. According to Krakow’s transit operator MPK, a line 1 tram was also hit by gunfire at around 3:05 PM on Wszystkich Świętych Square – the window of the driver’s cab was shattered, and no one on board was hurt.
How many people were killed and injured?
Police reported five people killed and more than a dozen injured, including police officers – police first spoke of two, while some media report three injured officers. A fire service spokesman said shortly after 5:00 PM local time that 15 people were injured, 12 of them seriously. Initial reports spoke of two dead and ten injured; the toll changed as emergency services gathered information.
What is known about the attacker?
According to police, the attacker wore military-style clothing and carried a long gun. He drove off the square toward Stradomska Street. Officers stopped him at the intersection of Stradomska and Dietla streets; he was shot during the arrest and taken to a hospital under police guard. Media report that he underwent surgery and is in critical condition.
Police gave conflicting preliminary information on Saturday about the number of perpetrators – first one, later two, according to the Polish Press Agency (PAP). Małopolska police spokeswoman Katarzyna Cisło confirmed that the detained man is a Polish citizen; he carried no documents, and his identity was established by investigators. Authorities have not released his name or motive. According to Polish broadcaster RMF FM, he is 25 years old.
How have Polish authorities responded?
Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote that police are investigating the background and all circumstances of the attack. President Karol Nawrocki said he is in contact with the security services and sent the head of the National Security Bureau to Krakow. Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński traveled to the city for a meeting with the services. Justice Minister Waldemar Żurek said prosecutors and police are working at the scene.
As of publication, prosecutors had not said whether the case will be classified as a terrorist offense.
Disruptions in central Krakow
Emergency services evacuated buildings on the Main Market Square and urged residents and tourists to avoid the Old Town. Krakow’s public transit operator MPK closed the intersection of Dietla, Stradomska and Krakowska streets and rerouted trams. The Bagatela Theater canceled its Saturday performances.
Krakow shooting at a glance
- When: Saturday, November 7, 2026, around 3:00 PM local time (9:00 AM in New York)
- Where: Main Market Square in Krakow, Sławkowska and Stradomska streets
- Casualties: 5 dead, more than a dozen injured, including two police officers (police figures)
- Attacker: shot and detained by police, hospitalized; identity and motive not released
- Investigation: police and prosecutors; legal classification not yet announced
Sources: Małopolska Police, Krakow State Fire Service, PAP, Radio Kraków, RMF FM.
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