James Campbell, a 32-year-old disc jockey from Prestwick in South Ayrshire, has been confirmed as one of the six individuals killed in a shooting in Krakow, Poland. The tragic incident occurred on Saturday, 7 November, and claimed the lives of several people in the historic city. Campbell had worked as a DJ up until his death, and local political representatives have paid tribute to the young man from the Scottish coastal town.
The attacker, a 24-year-old Polish national, was described as wearing military-style clothing and a bulletproof vest. He fired at people at random from a black car parked in Krakow's Main Square. In addition to the six fatal victims, the shooter injured 15 other individuals. The gunman later died in a hospital, leaving behind a trail of devastation that has prompted an extensive international response.
Among the other victims was Harry Marchant, a 19-year-old British man from York. He sustained a gunshot wound during the attack and remains in Poland for medical treatment. North Yorkshire Police confirmed the force is assisting his family. A statement from the family expressed their gratitude to the first responders and the medical team in Poland, noting that their son is in a stable condition. They also requested privacy as they support his recovery.
The motive behind the attack appears to be linked to political beliefs. Interior minister Marcin Kierwinski stated that the attacker held very radical views and was fascinated by far-right ideologies. The gunman is also suspected of killing three members of his own family. Their bodies were discovered at his home, located approximately 100 miles northeast of Krakow. Police confirmed the victims were his parents and his 21-year-old sister, who likely died from gunshot wounds.
Krzysztof Jan Kleczar, the regional governor of Lesser Poland, provided a breakdown of the six deceased. They include three Polish women aged 47, 53, and 61, the 32-year-old British man, and a 51-year-old woman whose nationality has not yet been confirmed but who is not a Polish citizen. The sixth victim was identified as a Polish man in his fifties. These details paint a picture of a diverse group of victims caught in a sudden and violent event.
Police Scotland's counter-terror unit is working to formally identify Campbell. Detective Chief Inspector David McAlinden stated that family liaison officers are providing specialist support to the Campbell family in Scotland. The force is collaborating with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, the UK Counter Terrorism Policing network, and Polish authorities. The primary goal is to establish identification to allow for the repatriation of the body as soon as possible.
Local and national figures have offered their condolences. The Prestwick branch of the SNP posted on Facebook, expressing heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of James Thomas Campbell. They described the announcement as tragic and noted his young age. Scotland's First Minister, John Swinney, also paid tribute on social media, calling the event an appalling and senseless tragedy. He extended his thoughts to all those who were murdered or injured in the deplorable shooting.
The incident has highlighted the vulnerability of public spaces in major European cities. The combination of a lone gunman, radical ideologies, and a high-profile location in Krakow has drawn significant attention. As investigations continue, authorities are focused on supporting the victims' families and understanding the full scope of the attacker's actions, including the deaths of his relatives at his home.
