Briton killed and another injured in Poland mass shooting that left six dead

A British man was killed and another Briton injured in a mass shooting in Poland that left six people dead.

Four women and two men were killed and 16 others injured, including five foreign nationals from Austria, Germany, Portugal, Russia and the UK, and two police officers.

A gunman opened fire in Krakow’s Main Square on Saturday afternoon, sending people running for cover.

Footage on social media shows an armed police officer approaching the alleged gunman, who appears to be dressed in tactical gear and lying on the ground with a rifle beside him while sirens ring out.

The officer appears to fire six shots towards him before dropping to his knees on the ground.

The suspected gunman, a 24-year-old Polish national, was believed to have been inspired by “far-right ideologies” and remains in hospital after being shot by police.

Local police have launched a blood appeal for officer Jakub Kulik, who is fighting for his life in hospital.

The force said the senior constable had confronted the armed attacker and suffered serious injuries.

The shooting happened at around 3.30pm on Saturday when the gunman armed with an automatic weapon opened fire in the Old Town area of Poland’s second-largest city.

He drove to multiple spots in the square, opening fire at each, authorities said.

Poland’s prime minister Donald Tusk said three bodies were found at the gunman’s home (Jack Taylor/PA)

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Jonathan Balshaw, from Ipswich, was outside Mary’s Basilica in the square with his girlfriend when the attack started.

“We ran down the side of the church and through the side door and hid with several other people until the gunfire died down,” he told the BBC.

“A lot of shots were fired, more than 20 with it sounding like multiple different firearms – there were two distinctly different noises.”

Polish prime minister Donald Tusk said another three bodies were found at the home of the gunman in a city about 93 miles from Krakow.

On Sunday morning, Polish police confirmed those three victims had been identified as the alleged gunman’s parents and 21-year-old sister.

In a press conference on Saturday night, Polish police commander-in-chief Marek Boron said: “There are 16 people injured including two police officers and the perpetrator himself – 11 of those are Polish citizens, five citizens of foreign countries.

“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.”

“We are undertaking activities at the place where the perpetrator lived, so I think we will know more what those investigations bring.”

Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband stressed UK solidarity with Poland (Peter Byrne/PA)

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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.”

The suspect has not yet been identified.

The Polish interior minister Marcin Kierwinski said the attacker held “very radical views” and “was fascinated by far-right ideologies”.

Polish defence minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz called Saturday’s fatal shooting an “act of terror” on the people of Krakow.

The FCDO is advising British nationals in Krakow to “follow the advice of local authorities and monitor local media”.

In a statement, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said: “The UK Government deeply mourns the British national and other victims who have died after the appalling attack in Krakow.

“All of my deepest condolences go to the families of the victims.

“The UK stands resolutely in solidarity with the people of Poland.”

Krakow mayor Lukasz Gibala said in a post on X the city would observe a period of mourning until November 11.