Six killed in Krakow shooting witnessed by Icelandic diplomat

At least six people were killed and about 12 injured in a shooting in central Krakow on Saturday, mbl.is reported. Bjarni Vestmann, an Icelandic diplomat, was nearby with his wife and heard the gunfire.

The couple were eating outside a restaurant on the same square where the attack took place. “A person is being murdered about 50 metres from us,” Vestmann told mbl.is. Neither was hurt, but both were shaken by the experience.

Vestmann initially thought the sounds were fireworks. He realised what was happening when people rushed into the restaurant to take cover. The gunman also fired at a Zara clothing store on the square, where people were injured. One person was killed outside the shop, about 150 metres from the restaurant.

The six people reported killed included four women and two men. The attacker exchanged fire with police and was shot. He was arrested and taken to hospital, and is now in police custody.

Two police officers were injured in the confrontation, according to the BBC, with one in critical condition. A large emergency response was sent to the scene, including a medical helicopter.

Vestmann is a representative at Iceland’s mission to NATO in Brussels. He was on holiday in Poland with his wife.