Polish Man with Ultranationalist Views Kills Six in Krakow Square Shooting

A 25-year-old Polish man drove into Krakow's bustling Main Square on Saturday and opened fire with an automatic weapon, killing six people and injuring 15 others before police shot and wounded him, authorities said. The attack, described by Poland's defense minister as an "act of terror," occurred in the heart of the city's Old Town, a major tourist destination in Poland's second-largest city.

Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński said the suspect holds "very radical" and "ultranationalistic" views. "Everything indicates that he was fascinated by far-right ideologies," Kierwiński told a news conference. The attacker, who was not named, wore military-style fatigues and a bulletproof vest and used a military-type long gun, according to Krakow police spokesperson Katarzyna Cisło. Police found additional weapons and ammunition in his car.

Hours after the shooting, Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that authorities had discovered the bodies of three of the suspect's close family members—two women and a man—inside his home in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, a city about 150 kilometers (93 miles) northeast of Krakow. "We have the next acts of this tragedy," Tusk told reporters.

The victims in Krakow included four women and two men. At least three of the women were Polish, and one of the dead was a British citizen, authorities said. Police were still working to identify the other two victims. A total of 13 people were hospitalized in serious condition, though that figure may include the gunman, who underwent surgery after the attack. Two police officers were seriously injured, Kierwiński said.

The attacker drove to multiple locations around Main Square and fired at each stop, Cisło said, describing a "wild ride" that resulted in casualties at several spots. He continued firing at police even after being shot himself, she added. Five non-Poles were among the injured, according to police commander Marek Boroń. Two of the injured were treated and released within hours.

Authorities believe the gunman acted alone, though the investigation is ongoing. The attack has shocked Poland, a country that has rarely experienced mass shootings. The government has vowed to investigate the motives and any potential links to extremist groups.