Warsaw, Poland – A somber mood has enveloped the University of Warsaw following a brutal axe attack on Wednesday evening that resulted in the death of a staff member. The incident occurred inside the main campus building, sending shockwaves through the academic community.
Authorities have confirmed the deceased as a 53-year-old porter. A 39-year-old university security guard who bravely intervened to assist her sustained serious injuries in the attack.
Police have apprehended a 22-year-old Polish man in connection with the crime. While his motives remain unclear, a local prosecutor identified him as a third-year law student who, despite being Polish, is not a resident of Warsaw.
The attack unfolded shortly after 6:40 PM local time (4:40 PM GMT) when the assailant entered the university campus. He then proceeded to the Auditorium Maximum building, the university’s largest lecture hall, where the tragic events transpired.
The university has reacted with profound grief, declaring today, Thursday, a day of mourning, with all classes cancelled as a mark of respect. In a statement, Rector Alojzy Nowak expressed the institution’s deep sorrow and extended heartfelt sympathy to the family and loved ones of the victim. “Everyone at the university is shocked by this murder,” he stated.
Adding a layer of unexpected proximity, Polish Justice Minister Adam Bodnar was participating in a panel discussion in a nearby lecture theatre at the time of the attack. While he did not witness the event directly, he was immediately informed by his state protection officers. Minister Bodnar commended one of his officers who reportedly rushed to the scene to aid the injured security guard who had confronted the attacker.
Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski also conveyed his profound shock, describing the incident as a “macabre crime” on the university grounds. He emphasized that “this brutal attack must be severely punished.”
In the wake of the tragedy, the university has announced the cancellation of its annual music festival, Juwenalia, which was scheduled to take place on Friday and Saturday.
The investigation into the attack is ongoing as authorities work to determine the motive behind this senseless act of violence that has deeply shaken the University of Warsaw and the wider community.
