A tragic axe attack on the University of Warsaw campus on Wednesday evening has left one woman dead and another person seriously injured. Police confirmed that a 53-year-old staff member of the university was brutally attacked and killed while working in the main campus building. A university security guard who tried to intervene was also injured and is receiving medical treatment for serious wounds.
The attacker, a 22-year-old man, was quickly arrested by authorities. According to local police, the man is a third-year law student, though he is not from Warsaw. His motives remain unclear, and investigations are ongoing. The university, in its statement, described the incident as a “huge tragedy” and declared Thursday a day of mourning, with all classes suspended in remembrance of the victim.
The attack occurred shortly after 6:40 PM local time when the suspect entered the university campus and made his way to the Auditorium Maximum building, the university’s largest lecture hall. Reports from local media confirmed that the victim was a porter at the university, who tragically died at the scene. The security guard, aged 39, attempted to assist the woman but was seriously injured during the altercation with the attacker.
University rector Alojzy Nowak expressed his deep sorrow for the incident, sending condolences to the family and loved ones of the victim. “We are all in shock, and we share the immense pain of those affected by this senseless violence,” he said.
The attack shocked not only the university community but also prominent figures in Polish politics. Justice Minister Adam Bodnar, who was attending a nearby lecture, was informed about the attack by his security detail. He praised one of his officers who rushed to the scene and helped restrain the attacker.
Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski also condemned the act, calling it a “macabre crime” and asserting that such brutality must be met with severe punishment. “This is an attack on the very heart of our city, and we must ensure justice is served,” he said.
The university had been preparing to host its annual Juwenalia music festival, a major student event, on Friday and Saturday. However, in light of the tragedy, all planned events have been canceled out of respect for the victim and her family.
This violent incident marks a tragic chapter in the history of the University of Warsaw, a place usually associated with learning and intellectual exchange. Authorities continue to investigate the motives behind the attack, but the university and the broader community are left grappling with the aftermath of this devastating crime.
The police are working closely with the prosecutor’s office as they seek to understand the circumstances surrounding this brutal attack. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.
