Six people were killed and 15 others injured Saturday when a gunman opened fire in Kraków's historic Main Market Square, turning one of Poland's most recognizable tourist destinations into the scene of a deadly attack.

The suspect, a Polish citizen, drove into the square around 3 p.m. local time and fired at people from his vehicle, according to Reuters.

Police confronted the attacker, who exchanged gunfire with officers before being wounded and taken into custody.

Two police officers were among the injured.

Hours later, authorities discovered three additional bodies at the suspect's home, raising questions about the events leading up to the attack.

Polish officials say the suspect held radical nationalist views, but investigators have not yet established a complete motive.

What Happened in Kraków's Main Market Square?

The shooting began around 3 p.m. Saturday in Kraków's Main Market Square, a historic public space surrounded by restaurants, cafés, churches, and shops.

According to the Associated Press, the attacker drove through several locations in the square and opened fire at people.

Witnesses described people fleeing into nearby buildings and streets as gunshots rang out.

Police responded and eventually confronted the suspect, who continued firing during the encounter.

Officers shot and wounded him before taking him into custody.

The suspect was subsequently hospitalized and underwent surgery.

Authorities reported that four women and two men were killed in the attack.

Among the dead was a British citizen. Five foreign nationals were also among the injured, according to Polish officials.

The presence of international victims reflects Kraków's popularity with visitors from across Europe and beyond.

Police Officers Among the Injured

Two police officers sustained serious injuries during the confrontation with the gunman.

Poland's interior minister, Marcin Kierwiński, said one officer was in critical condition following the exchange of gunfire.

Authorities reported that 13 people were hospitalized in serious condition, although initial reporting did not establish whether that figure included the attacker.

Two other injured people were treated and released.

The casualty figures may change as hospitals provide updated information and investigators clarify the circumstances of individual injuries.

Three Additional Bodies Found at Suspect's Home

The investigation expanded Saturday after authorities discovered three bodies at a residence associated with the suspected gunman.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk said two women and one man were found dead at the home in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, approximately 150 kilometers northeast of Kraków.

According to AP reporting, authorities believe the three people were close family members of the suspect.

Investigators have not yet publicly established when or how those deaths occurred or confirmed their precise relationship to Saturday's shooting.

The discovery brings the number of reported deaths potentially connected to the investigation to nine, although the three deaths at the residence should not be counted as victims of the Main Market Square shooting without further evidence.

What Do Investigators Know About the Suspect?

Polish authorities identified the suspected attacker as a Polish citizen who appeared to act alone.

Officials have not publicly released his name.

Interior Minister Kierwiński said investigators had identified indications of radical nationalist and far-right ideological interests.

According to Reuters, the minister described the suspect as apparently influenced by far-right ideology.

Police also recovered additional weapons and ammunition from the vehicle used in the attack.

The suspect reportedly wore military-style clothing, although authorities said he was not wearing an official military uniform.

These details are relevant to the investigation, but they do not establish that the attacker belonged to an organized extremist group or acted on instructions from anyone else.

Investigators must still determine how the weapons were obtained, whether the attack was planned, and what motivated the violence.

Poland's defense minister described the shooting as an act of terror.

That characterization reflects the government's assessment; the full legal and investigative findings remain pending.

Why the Attack Has Shocked Poland

Mass shootings of this scale are uncommon in Poland.

The country has comparatively restrictive firearm regulations, and civilian gun ownership is subject to licensing requirements.

The attack occurred in the heart of Kraków's Old Town, an area internationally recognized for its historic architecture and cultural importance.

Main Market Square is regularly filled with residents, tourists, street performers, and people visiting local businesses.

The violence also follows several attacks at Polish schools in October, raising concerns among authorities about violent extremist content and public safety.

However, investigators have not established a connection between those earlier incidents and Saturday's shooting.

The Kraków attack should therefore be evaluated on its own evidence rather than treated as part of an organized campaign without confirmation.

Polish Leaders Respond

Prime Minister Tusk traveled to Kraków following the shooting and said authorities were investigating the circumstances of the attack.

President Karol Nawrocki expressed condolences to the victims and their families.

Polish officials also announced additional security measures in other cities.

In Warsaw, Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski said security would be strengthened around major streets in the capital's historic center, including through additional road barriers.

International leaders also condemned the violence.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron were among those who expressed condolences and solidarity with Poland.

The attack has raised immediate questions about security in crowded pedestrian areas, emergency response procedures, and how authorities identify potential threats before violence occurs.

What Happens Next?

Investigators face several unanswered questions.

The first is the suspect's motive and whether his reported ideological interests directly influenced the attack.

The second is the relationship between the Kraków shooting and the three deaths discovered at his home.

Authorities must also establish the origins of the weapons and determine whether the suspect received assistance from anyone else.

Meanwhile, medical teams continue treating the injured, including police officers wounded during the confrontation.

The attack has left six people dead in Kraków, with three additional deaths under investigation elsewhere in Poland.

The immediate shooting has ended, but the investigation into how and why it happened is only beginning.