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New information about the suspect in the Krakow attack / He had registered weapons and far-right views

Raluca Ioana Draghici

8 November 2026, 07:25

International

Kai Jane/ZUMA Press Wire / Shutterstock Editorial / Profimedia

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The suspect who opened fire on Saturday, November 7, in Kraków’s central square is a Polish citizen approximately 24–25 years old, originally from Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, located about 150 kilometers from the city. The Polish press unofficially identifies him as Michał O. Authorities are investigating the motive for the attack after the Interior Minister stated that the young man may have been fascinated by far-right ideologies.

According to information published by Wirtualna Polska, Gazeta Wyborcza, and Onet, the suspect had no criminal record and worked as a lathe operator. He held a permit for sporting firearms, had two weapons registered in his name, and was a member of a shooting club in Starachowice. Police found weapons, ammunition, and military equipment in the car used in the attack. The vehicle was registered in his father’s name.

Investigators discovered three bodies in the suspect’s home in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski: two women and a man, believed to be family members. The victims’ identities have not been officially confirmed. The property was temporarily evacuated, and an anti-terrorist unit responded at the scene.

The Defense Minister described the attack as an act of terror, but authorities have presented no evidence that the young man was part of a terrorist organization. A former colleague reported that he drew scenes depicting hanged people and armed attacks on a school. Neighbors describe him as withdrawn, distant, and frequently dressed in black.

Context: before the details of the investigation into the suspect, Poland presented the initial casualty figures and announced the discovery of people dead at his residence

Immediately after the armed attack in Krakow’s historic center, authorities initially reported that a man had driven into the Main Market Square and fired at random at passersby, while operations continued to secure the area and verify the circumstances. The initial statements gave different figures for the victims—five dead and approximately 12 injured—while police indicated that the suspect may have acted alone and that the investigation was ongoing, with no information about the motive.

A few hours later, Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that two women and a man had been found dead in a residence in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, located about 150 kilometers from Krakow. The discovery was confirmed after investigators inspected the property, using a drone, and authorities stated that, for the time being, they had not established exactly under what circumstances the victims had died or whether there was a direct connection to the attack.