On Monday evening, thousands of people gathered in Kraków for a candle‑lit march to commemorate the victims of the deadly shooting that took place on 7 November. The procession began at 8 p.m. on the main square, the site where the attacker fired the first shots, and moved past the three locations where the victims were killed. Participants carried candles and flowers, and lit candles at each memorial site. The march was attended by Polish President Karol Nawrocki and former Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who, despite being political rivals, stood side by side to express solidarity with the families of the victims and with the city’s residents. Other dignitaries present included Mayor Łukasz Gibała, Bishop Grzegorz Ryś, and regional officials. Organisers stated that no political speeches would be delivered during the event. At the end of the march, a trumpet rendition of Simon and Garfunkel’s “The Sound of Silence” was played from the tower of St. Mary’s Basilica, followed by a prayer for the victims led by Bishop Ryś. Mayor Gibała urged residents to demonstrate Kraków’s unity and to let fear not dictate daily life. The 7 November attack left six people dead and 17 injured. The 24‑year‑old Michał Oksiński drove into the historic square, wearing military‑style clothing and a bullet‑proof vest, and fired indiscriminately at pedestrians. Police later arrested him; he died in hospital from his injuries on Monday morning. The victims included four Polish citizens, a British man and an Austrian woman; several injured were foreign nationals. Investigators found the attacker’s vehicle and personal belongings contained multiple firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. In his family home, authorities discovered bodies of the attacker’s parents and sister, suggesting he may have killed them before the attack. The motive remains unclear; the Interior Ministry has mentioned the possibility of far‑right or ultranationalist influences, but the investigation is ongoing. In response to the tragedy, President Nawrocki declared a national day of mourning for 8 and 9 November. In Kraków, flags were flown at half‑mast and black‑ribbon‑adorned flags were displayed on city buses and trams. A memorial book was opened at the city hall and online, allowing residents to leave messages for the victims’ families. Two police officers, Jakub Kulikot and Artur Morański, who were severely injured during the arrest, were awarded the Polonia Restituta Cross for Courage and lifesaving actions. Their condition has reportedly begun to improve.
Article source: Magyar Hirlap | Image credit: Magyar Hirlap