Polish Police has confirmed that the three bodies found in the residence of the person responsible for the shooting carried out this Saturday in Krakow’s Main Square belong to his parents --aged 53 and 52-- and to his sister --aged 20--, according to what the police spokesperson Andrei Fiyolek has stated. All three had gunshot wounds and, according to the first conclusions, they would have died as a result of these shots.
The corpses were found during a police operation carried out on the same night of Saturday at the family home, located in Ostrowiec Swietokrzyski, about two hours by road to the northeast of Krakow. Before this discovery, the Polish prime minister, Donald Tusk, had already pointed out that the victims could be part of the closest circle of the alleged shooter.
The attacker remains in critical condition
The aggressor, 24, burst into the area around 15:00 at Krakow’s central Main Square while driving a vehicle traveling at high speed. Covered with a mask and dressed in clothes similar to a uniform, he opened fire indiscriminately at people in the area, which caused scenes of panic and led many passers-by to take shelter in cafés, restaurants, and nearby buildings.
The official toll of the attack stands at six dead and 16 injured, including two Police officers and the suspect himself, who is in "critical condition" and is being subjected to surgery. Several of the victims continue to be in serious or critical condition, according to what the state news agency (PAP) has reported.
Among the dead is a British citizen, according to the data released by the same outlet. Among the injured are five citizens of Germany, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Russia, and Austria. Two of the injured transferred to hospital centers have already been released.
Investigation into the motive and "radical ideas"
The authorities keep the investigation open to clarify the circumstances and the motive behind the attack. The interior minister, Marcin Kierwinski, has indicated that the initial inquiries point to the suspect holding "very radical views," although for now no specific motivation has been determined.
"Several weapons were found in his car (...). He fired an automatic weapon and came from the town of Swietokrzyskie; he is of Polish nationality and was born in 2002," Kierwinski said.
One of the lines of investigation considers that the weapon used came from the home of his own parents, since the father had a firearms license. "There is also an investigation at the house where he lived. For obvious reasons, antiterrorism units take part in these operations," the minister added.
The attacker was injured after being hit by shots from the agents before being subdued. He is currently being admitted to a hospital in Kraków, where he has already undergone a first operation and has started a second surgical intervention.
The head of Interior has taken the opportunity to deny the existence of more shooters and has stressed that, at this time, the Police have no evidence pointing to other possible suspects.
Official mourning in Poland
Given the scale of the incident, the Polish president, Karol Nawrocki, signed the decree declaring 8 and 9 November as days of national mourning this Saturday night. The measure, which also required the signature of the head of Government, has been endorsed by Tusk, who has confirmed that "Sunday and Monday will be days of national mourning in Poland."
The prime minister has said that the country will face these two days of mourning jointly, and that his office will specify the details on how the official commemoration will unfold.
The attack has shaken Kraków, one of Poland's most important tourist destinations, whose Main Square, surrounded by Renaissance buildings, is one of the most frequented spaces by visitors and residents.