A woman was killed and a man sustained severe injuries during a shocking axe attack at the University of Warsaw on Wednesday evening, according to Polish authorities. The police have arrested a 22-year-old Polish male in connection with the incident, which the institution has described as a "huge tragedy."
Both victims worked at the university; the deceased woman was a member of the staff, while the injured man served in a security role. The motive behind the attack remains unclear, as authorities are still investigating the circumstances leading up to the incident.
Eyewitness reports state the assailant entered the university campus around 18:40 local time and proceeded into a college auditorium, where the attack occurred. Since then, details have been sparse. The rector of the university expressed condolences, calling for reflection in this time of sorrow, and announced that May 8 would be observed as a day of mourning in honor of the victims.
Galvanizing further attention, Gazeta Wyborcza Daily has alleged that the attacker is a third-year law student at the university, raising questions about mental health resources and campus security. In the wake of the attack, police units cordoned off the auditorium area as investigations began.
This incident comes at a time when discussions surrounding campus safety and the factors contributing to such violence are particularly salient. The University of Warsaw community, along with the nation, will likely be grappling with the implications of this tragedy for some time.
