Polish police launch terror probe as British man among nine killed by gunman in 'far-right attack' in Krakow - as it's revealed shooter 'murdered his parents and sister' in rampage before stopped by hero cops

Polish prosecutors have launched a terrorism investigation after a gunman killed nine people, including a British man, in a suspected far-right attack in Krakow.The 25-year-old suspect allegedly murdered his parents and sister at home before driving into the city's historic Main Market Square and opening fire on crowds, killing six more people.Two police officers who confronted the gunman were hailed as 'true heroes' by Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Senior constables Jakub Kulik and Artur Morański remained in critical condition in hospital.The gunman was wounded during a shootout with officers shortly after the attack in the square and was taken to hospital, where he is undergoing a second surgery. At least 15 people, including the two officers, were injured in the shooting at around 3pm local time on Saturday. 'It is a truly exceptional tragedy,' Mr Tusk said. The gunman, a Polish citizen from Ostrowiec Swietokrzyski in the country's south-east, drove a black Subaru into the crowded square before randomly firing a semi-automatic AR-15 rifle.He was dressed in military-style green fatigues and what appeared to be a helmet and body armour.Footage shows an officer fire around six shots from his gun and was later filmed slumped on the ground.Four women and two men died at the market. Three of the dead were Polish and one was British, Polish police commander Marek Boron said, adding two had not yet been identified. Police officers cordon off an area near the Main Market Square following a mass shooting, in Krakow, Poland Footage shows a police officer approaching a person believed to be the shooter, who is dressed in military-style green fatigues, and firing up to six shots. The officer was also injured in the exchangeImages from the scene show the alleged gunman in military-style fatigues. The weapon, a rifle, lies on the ground nearby An image taken from footage of the attack appeared to show the alleged attacker's faceThe bodies of three of the suspect's relatives, believed to be his parents and sister, were subsequently discovered at his home.Poland's National Prosecutor's Office confirmed on Sunday that it had opened an investigation into the attack.It said the inquiry concerned 'the killing of six people… using a firearm, and the attempted murder of many others, including police officers, this act constituting a terrorist offence'. The gunman was likely inspired by 'far-right ideologies' and had 'very radical views', Poland's interior minister said, adding 'many guns were found' in the car he was driving.One officer involved in the gunfight was earlier reported to have been shot three times and undergone surgery.The suspect was a member of the Świt Starachowice sports shooting club, a spokesperson confirmed, saying he had visited its shooting range twice this year.The club said its activities focused on static sport shooting and that the suspect had never received training there in dynamic, tactical or combat shooting.It added that he had not exhibited any concerning behaviour and said it was cooperating fully with the authorities, providing all necessary materials and information.'We deeply regret this incident and offer our condolences to the families of the victims,' the spokesperson said.Jonathan Balshaw, from Ipswich, was outside St Mary's Basilica in the square with his girlfriend when the attack began.'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.' Images from the scene show a helmet and body armour as the alleged gunman was arrested Six people have been killed and 15 injured, initial figures from emergency services suggest Police examine a vehicle after starting an investigation into the fatal shooting Emergency services are seen at the site of the mass shooting in Poland on Saturday A shop window in Krakow, Poland, was peppered with bullets during the attack Police and the fire service are seen near Krakow's Main Market Square after the shootingFootage showed a police officer approaching a person believed to be the shooter as he lay on the ground.Members of the Dublin Civil Defence branch rushed to help victims who were shot during the attack.In an interview with RTÉ News, Civil Defence officer James McConnell recounted that the Irish team, who were on a city break in the city, performed CPR and stopped severe bleeding. Police said the alleged attacker, who they believe acted alone, had a firearms licence and 'returned fire' after being shot at by officers.Despite dressing in military clothing, Poland's defence minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz denied reports the gunman was a soldier.He described the shooting as a 'terror attack' and called for unity.Meanwhile interior minister Marcin Kierwiński said the alleged attacker was 'fascinated by far-right ideologies' and first analysis indicated he had 'ultra-nationalist views' which needed to be verified.Mr Kierwiński added one line of inquiry suggested the suspect may have taken guns from his family home after some were found to be registered to his father, though said it was 'too early' to say.'Police officers in Krakow risked their lives to intervene. Immediately. Thanks to their heroic actions, the attacker was quickly apprehended,' he said. People inside a shop at the site of a shooting near the main market square, as broken glass litters the floor A member of the city guard runs at the site of a shooting near the main market square of Krakow, Poland A shop window is shattered after a deadly shooting on November 7 in KrakowFootage shared online showed people on the ground as the shooting continued while brave passers-by attempted to help the injured and perform CPR.Other clips saw people fleeing for their lives and hiding in nearby shops as shots rang out around the square.An air ambulance landed in the square following the shooting and a large police presence remained in Poland's second-largest city this evening.A passing tram was hit by gunshots during the attack, with no one on board hurt despite the driver's window being shattered.Mr Tusk said he was being kept informed and a police investigation has been launched.'My deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims of the tragic attack in Kraków. My highest praise for the heroic police officers who risked their lives,' he said.'And a heartfelt appeal to politicians of all stripes: do not exploit this tragedy. We will establish all the circumstances of this crime.'Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he was 'shocked and saddened by the appalling shooting', adding his thoughts were with the victims.'The United Kingdom stands in solidarity with the people of Poland,' he said.And 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.' Portugal's foreign ministry said one of its citizens was among the injured, adding she was being treated in hospital.The Polish interior ministry said the other four foreign nationals injured in the shooting came from Austria, Germany, Russia and Britain. Police cars at the scene of the shooting in Poland's second-largest city An air ambulance is pictured in the main market square after a gunman opened fireEmergency services speak to people at the scene of the shooting in the square in Krakow, PolandA woman is seen in the immediate aftermath of the shooting in Krakow on Saturday Emergency responders gather in the main square on Saturday eveningPoland's President Karol Nawrocki said he was 'deeply concerned' and his thoughts were with the victims and their families.He added: 'I remain in contact with the relevant authorities and expect a full explanation of the circumstances surrounding these tragic events.'The safety of Poles is an absolute priority!'The city's mayor said he had signed an order declaring a period of mourning until November 11.Mass shootings are uncommon in Poland, though three knife attacks on schools were staged within four days last month leaving a woman dead and children among the wounded.Mr Tusk said at the time the attacks were driven by the 'glorification of violence' online, adding: 'We are not dealing with any group organised on a big scale.'Before Saturday's shooting, an anti-government protest had been scheduled for 2pm local time in Matejki Place, near the market square.Poland is in the midst of a constitutional crisis over the appointment of judges to the country's top court which has split the nationalist president and pro-European government.Earlier this year Mr Nawrocki refused to swear in judges nominated by a majority of the Polish parliament, led by prime minister and former European Council chief Mr Tusk.Mr Tusk's coalition had vowed to reform the court on coming to power in 2023 after the nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party packed the bench with its own nominees, drawing international criticism for its perceived attack on the rule of law.But Mr Nawrocki, who was endorsed by the PiS, has frustrated attempts to repopulate the court and new judges also saw their access blocked by the tribunal's president Bogdan Swieczkowski.Last week Mr Nawrocki returned from a visit to Africa after reports the tribunal's longest-serving judge Anna Korwin-Piotrowska had suspended Mr Swieczkowski and taken charge herself.Officers have guarded the court since last Friday as hundreds of protesters gathered to demand Mr Swieczkowski's reinstatement.There is no indication today's shooting is linked to the constitutional crisis.