James Thomas Campbell, a 32-year-old Scottish DJ from Prestwick in South Ayrshire, is confirmed as one of the six victims killed during a mass shooting in Krakow’s central market square on Saturday.
The attack unfolded shortly before 15:00 local time when a gunman drove a vehicle into Krakow’s busy Main Market Square and opened fire on pedestrians using a semi-automatic rifle, according to reporting by BBC News. Armed police officers reached the location rapidly, engaging the assailant in a shootout and shooting him within three minutes of the initial gunfire.
The 24-year-old attacker, identified by prosecutors as Michał Oksiński from Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, died in hospital on Monday following multiple surgeries, as detailed by The Independent. Authorities later discovered the bodies of the gunman’s parents and sister at his residential address.
The rampage resulted in the deaths of four Polish citizens, an Austrian woman, and the Scottish musician, while leaving 15 other individuals injured, including two police officers. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk designated the event an act of terrorism, marking the deadliest mass shooting in the country since the fall of communism in 1989.
Initial statements from government officials suggested the perpetrator was influenced by far-right ideologies and ultra-nationalist views. However, Przemysław Nowak, a spokesperson for Poland’s National Prosecutor’s Office, clarified during a Monday briefing that investigations into the specific motivations remain ongoing.
W obliczu tragedii w Krakowie zobaczyliśmy to, co w ludziach najlepsze: odwagę policjantów, poświęcenie ratowników medycznych i bezinteresowną pomoc zwykłych ludzi, którzy ruszyli ratować innych. Jesteśmy im wszyscy ogromnie wdzięczni. pic.twitter.com/rNlb7RDQBW
Justice Minister Waldemar Zurek said that authorities are actively investigating whether the attacker acted alone or maintained wider affiliations.
Police Scotland confirmed it is providing specialist support to the family of James Thomas Campbell in coordination with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. Mark Jewell, a close friend and fellow DJ, paid tribute to the victim.
“It’s just so tragic that he had to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
“a quiet, kind and soft-hearted person, who wouldn't have harmed a fly” described Mark Jewell, a close friend of Campbell's who regularly DJ'd with him, said.
Another British citizen, Harry Marchant, sustained gunshot wounds during the attack and received ongoing hospital treatment in a stable condition, as confirmed by North Yorkshire police through The Guardian.
A Scottish DJ has been identified by The Telegraph as one of six people shot dead in a mass shooting in Kraków, Poland. James Thomas Campbell, 32, from Prestwick in Ayrshire, was killed by a 24-year-old gunman described by prosecutors as being fascinated by extreme ideologies ⬇️… pic.twitter.com/55ZnfHSWAO
In response to the tragedy, The Irish Examiner reported that tens of thousands of people participated in a silent march through Krakow on Monday evening. Polish President Karol Nawrocki and Prime Minister Donald Tusk led the procession, laying memorial candles along the route where the victims lost their lives.
The Polish government announced plans to review national regulations governing firearm permits for individuals following the security breach. Meanwhile, the investigation continues under the supervision of local authorities and counter-terrorism units.
Scottish DJ James Campbell named as Briton killed in Krakow shooting https://t.co/P6SkY2Tbao
Earlier coverage: Scottish DJ James Campbell Named Among Six Killed in Krakow Shooting
