2025 University of Warsaw attack


On 7 May 2025, a 22-year-old law student attacked staff members with an axe at the University of Warsaw in Warsaw, Poland. A 53-year-old female porter was killed, and a 39-year-old security guard who intervened was seriously injured.
The suspect, a second-year law student at the university, was detained at the scene by police. The motive for the attack remains under investigation.

Attack

On the morning of 7 May 2025, at around 9:30 a.m. CEST, a 22-year-old law student entered the University of Warsaw’s historic central campus armed with an axe.
According to witnesses, the assailant first attacked a 53-year-old female porter near the entrance of the university building. She was struck multiple times and died at the scene from her injuries.
A 39-year-old security guard attempted to intervene and was attacked by the perpetrator. The guard sustained serious head and upper-body injuries and was hospitalized in critical condition. He later stabilized and was discharged from hospital to continue his recovery at home.
Police arrived quickly at the scene and apprehended the attacker without further casualties. University authorities evacuated nearby buildings and suspended classes for the remainder of the day.

Trial

The suspect, a 22-year-old law student, was taken into custody immediately after the attack. Prosecutors charged him with murder and attempted murder under Polish criminal law. He was placed in pre-trial detention by order of the Warsaw district court.
Authorities also ordered psychiatric assessments to determine the suspect’s fitness to stand trial. As of August 2025, proceedings remain ongoing, and the trial has not yet concluded.

Aftermath

The University of Warsaw declared three days of mourning following the attack, lowering flags to half-mast and cancelling academic events. A funeral was held for the slain employee on 13 May 2025, attended by university staff, students, and government representatives.
Polish officials condemned the attack, and the Ministry of Education pledged to review campus security measures nationwide. The university also increased the number of security staff and implemented new access control measures at its central campus.