Poland in shock after 6 die in Krakow mass shooting

KRAKOW — A Polish gunman, likely influenced by far-right ideology, killed six people in the main square of Krakow before being shot and detained by police, officials announced on Saturday. Three additional bodies were discovered at the gunman's residence.

The brutal scene of violence and carnage in the historic heart of one of Poland's most popular tourist destinations has left the nation in shock, as it has long viewed itself as safer than other Western European countries that have experienced similar attacks in the past. This unprecedented mass shooting has further intensified the sense of unease already heightened by a series of school stabbings in October, which authorities attributed to violent and extremist online content.

According to Interior Minister Marcin Kierwinski, the shooter's actions were undoubtedly motivated by far-right ideology, and this will also be the subject of an investigation. Police and agents from the Internal Security Agency are currently present at the crime scene and the gunman's family home.

The victims consisted of four women and two men who lost their lives in the attack.