A Polish government spokesperson has walked back early claims that the Krakow mass shooter was driven by far-right ideology.
The gunman, a 24-year-old from Ostrowiec Swietokrzyski in southeastern Poland, died in hospital early Sunday after being shot by police during Saturday’s attack on Krakow’s Main Square. He killed six people — four women and two men — and wounded 16 others, including five foreign nationals from the UK, Portugal, Russia, Germany, and Austria.
Before the square shooting, the suspect killed three relatives in their family home. His parents, both in their early 50s, and his 21-year-old sister were found dead at the Ostrowiec Swietokrzyski residence. The family’s two cats were also reportedly killed.
The Malopolska Policia announced the gunman’s death on Twitter. “We would like to inform you that the perpetrator of the tragic events died in hospital early this morning,” the force wrote. The national prosecutor’s office confirmed the investigation will continue despite his passing.
Government spokesman Adam Szlapka addressed the motive question during an appearance on Polish channel TVN24, urging restraint. “Until the matter is fully clarified and the authorities are in possession of complete information, it is best to refrain from making comments, even if there are some initial indications,” he said.
National prosecutor’s office spokesperson Przemysław Nowak delivered a similar message. “We do not have findings that we could, in a responsible way, categorically state that he was inspired by any particular ideology,” he said. “It is far too early to comment on the motives … We have not found any obvious symbols that are generally associated with a particular political movement, whether far right or far left.”
Their caution marked a shift from Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński’s earlier statement that the suspected shooter “was fascinated by far-right ideologies.”
The suspect held a firearms license and had trained at a local shooting club, though the club denied he received tactical instruction. “He was never trained in our club in the areas of dynamic, tactical or combat shooting,” the club insisted.
Police recovered 11 weapons connected to the attacker. Seven were found during a search of the family home in Ostrowiec Swietokrzyski. Four others, including two AR-15 semi-automatic rifles, were discovered on the alleged gunman or in his car in Krakow.
A police officer who confronted the shooter during the square attack was critically wounded and remains in hospital fighting for his life.