Warsaw, Poland — A shocking act of violence shattered the calm at the University of Warsaw on Tuesday evening, as a 22-year-old man reportedly armed with an axe launched a brutal attack that left one university employee dead and another seriously injured. The incident has thrown the entire nation into mourning and raised concerns over safety within educational institutions.
According to a statement released by Warsaw Police, the attack occurred at approximately 6:40 p.m. local time, when the suspect—identified as a Polish citizen—entered the university campus and assaulted individuals with an axe. One female administrative worker died at the scene, while a security guard sustained critical injuries and was rushed to the hospital.
The attacker was quickly detained by police officers on campus. Preliminary reports by local media, including Gazeta Wyborcza, suggest the suspect is a third-year law student at the same university. While authorities have yet to officially confirm this detail, the revelation has deepened the shock, especially among students and faculty who may have crossed paths with the accused.
Private news broadcaster Polsat News added a chilling layer to the developing story, reporting the discovery of a severed woman’s head at the scene. However, when questioned, a spokesperson for the district prosecutor’s office refused to confirm or deny that detail, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.
“The suspect entered one of the university’s auditoriums,” the prosecutor’s office confirmed. “The victim, a female administrative staff member, was killed instantly. A male security guard was seriously injured during the incident and is currently in critical condition.”
At the scene, Reuters reporters described a heavy police presence, with law enforcement vans blocking access and cordons placed around the building where the attack occurred.
In a solemn response, the Rector of the University of Warsaw issued a statement declaring May 8 as a day of mourning. “This is a huge tragedy for our academic community,” the statement read. “We express our deepest sorrow and offer our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the victims.”
Classes and campus activities have been suspended, and grief counselors are being made available for students and faculty as the university grapples with the trauma.
The motive for the attack remains unclear. Police have launched a full-scale investigation, examining the attacker’s background, mental health, and possible grievances.
The Polish Ministry of Education and Science also released a brief statement condemning the violence and expressing solidarity with the university community. “No place of learning should ever become a place of fear,” it read.
This incident marks one of the most violent acts ever reported on a Polish university campus and is expected to ignite a nationwide discussion about mental health, campus security, and student welfare.
As the investigation unfolds and Poland reflects on this tragedy, the University of Warsaw stands united in grief, trying to comprehend how such horror could occur in a place meant to inspire and nurture young minds.
