Briton among six killed by 'far-right' gunman in Krakow rampage

A British national is among the six people killed in a mass shooting in Krakow, according to Polish police.

It happened in the main market square - a popular destination with foreign tourists - at around 3pm local time on Saturday.

The gunman was in military-style clothing and wore a bulletproof vest as he shot people at random from a black car.

Polish police confirmed on Sunday morning that the bodies of two women and a man found at the alleged gunman's home about 100 miles (160km) northeast of Krakow, were his parents and 21-year-old sister.

Video showed a police officer shooting the attacker multiple times from close range, before himself slowly collapsing.

Other footage showed blood on the floor and bystanders trying to resuscitate two victims. A third person appeared motionless nearby.

The suspect was described as "stable but very critical" after the attack, while a seriously injured officer was also said to be stable after having surgery.

Authorities said a British citizen was among four women and two men killed in the rampage in Krakow, which forced people to run for cover and take refuge in nearby cafes and restaurants.

On Saturday night, Polish police commander-in-chief Marek Boron told reporters: "There are six fatalities, four women and two men - three Polish persons, one citizen of Great Britain and two persons who are not yet identified."

A total of 16 people were injured, including two police officers.

Mr Boron confirmed that "11 of those are Polish citizens, five citizens of foreign countries".

There's been no update so far on their condition.

Investigations are taking place at the suspect's home, he said.

The 25-year-old is yet to been named but Polish interior minister Marcin Kierwinski said it's believed he was influenced by far-right ideology and has "ultra-nationalistic" views.

"The police prevented a ⁠much larger massacre that could have otherwise occurred. They fired shots at the attacker just three minutes after ​receiving the report," the minister said.

As it emerged that a British citizen was among the dead, Prime Minister Andy Burnham paid tribute to the victims of the attack.

Mr Burnham said: "I'm shocked and saddened by the appalling shooting in Krakow today.

"My thoughts are with the families of those who have lost their lives, everyone injured and all those affected by this senseless violence. The United Kingdom stands in solidarity with the people of Poland."

Police said more weapons and ammunition were found in the gunman's car, in Krakow.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that at the gunman's home in Ostrowiec Swietokrzysk, authorities suspected "a significant amount of weaponry" might be inside and a drone was used to look inside the property.

Local media said residents were evacuated during a search by counter-terror police.

Police spokesperson Andrzej Fijolek told broadcaster TVN 24 the attacker used an AR-15 rifle in the Krakow attack and that he owned a firearms licence.

Krakow's mayor, Lukasz Gibala, has announced a period of mourning until Wednesday.

More from Sky News:
Blow for Netanyahu as rival asked to form government
Trump asked UFC boss to be new White House press secretary

Mass shootings are uncommon in Poland and the number of gun licences is low compared with some of its neighbours - around 411,000 among 37 million people.

Daniel Tillies, editor-in-chief at Notes from Poland, called the attack "a shocking, unprecedented event in Poland".

He told Sky News: "Violent crime is rare here, crime involving firearms is even rarer. And this kind of mass shooting is unheard of, has never happened in Poland before."

However, the country did suffer a spate of stabbing attacks in schools in the Mazovia province last month, leaving one dead and many wounded.

Authorities said the incidents were influenced by violent and extremist online content.

(c) Sky News 2026: Briton among six killed by 'far-right' gunman in Krakow rampage