Krakow mass shooter dies amid growing political dispute over motives
A gunman who killed six people in central Krakow on Saturday in an unprecedented Polish mass shooting died in hospital on Monday, as shock and grief at the loss of life mixed with an increasingly bitter political dispute over his motives.
A makeshift memorial of flowers and candles for the victims, close to the main market place in Krakow. (Photo: AFP)
Very little information has come out about the shooter, who was shot by police officers and arrested minutes after he opened fire at people from his car in Krakow's historic main square.
The government had said the assailant, identified as Michal O., a 24-year-old from the town of Ostrowiec Swietokrzyski in southeastern Poland, may have been inspired by far-right ideology, without providing further details.
The nationalist opposition criticized that statement, with Law & Justice party leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski saying those claims were a "blatant lie".
Poland has recently been racked by a constitutional crisis over the appointment of key judges, exposing bitter divisions between Law & Justice and Donald Tusk's more centrist ruling coalition.
On Monday, government officials appeared to backtrack from the initial comments.
"Until the matter is fully clarified and the authorities are in possession of complete information, it is best to refrain from making comments, even if there are some initial indications," government spokesperson Adam Szlapka told TVN24.
The shooting took place in Krakow's historic market square, a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. (Photo: AFP)
Justice Minister Waldemar Zurek said on Monday that despite the death of the shooter, the investigation will continue, aiming to establish if he acted alone or was inspired by any group.
"Evidence is being collected, but I will not show or disclose it. I ask for restraint," Zurek told Radio Zet.
An interior ministry spokesperson said earlier on Monday that there were many different emblems on the perpetrator's clothing that had already been partially examined and interpreted.
Poland had never experienced such a mass shooting and scenes of blood and bodies strewn across the historic heart of one of its main tourist attractions shocked a nation that has long viewed itself as safer than western European neighbors that have witnessed such attacks in the past.
Fifteen people injured in the attack remain in hospitals. The condition of 14 is stable, while a police officer who took part in apprehending the attacker remains in a serious condition, Krakow Province Governor Krzysztof Kleczar told reporters.
The government will review regulations on requirements for people with gun permits following the tragedy, Zurek said.
Both the shooter and his father had gun permits and several firearms have been found in the family apartment and the assailant's car, prosecutors said.
The bodies of his father, mother and sister were found in their family home on Saturday, and officials say they were also likely killed by Michal O.