Authorities say Tadeusz Duda, who was under a restraining order and facing domestic abuse charges, began his attack on Friday by shooting his 73-year-old mother-in-law at her home in the village of Stara Wieś, Limanowa County.
He then walked about 500 metres to his daughter’s house, where he allegedly killed his 26-year-old daughter and her 31-year-old husband. Their one-year-old child was found unharmed inside the property.
Black hawk aids massive manhunt in rugged terrain of southern Poland
Investigators believe the assault was premeditated. The day before the shootings, Duda reviewed evidence files related to his ongoing criminal case.
The search operation has grown into one of the largest in recent memory, covering hundreds of hectares of steep, forested terrain.
A Black Hawk helicopter and a multipurpose Bell 407 have been assisting ground teams in the extensive search.
On Saturday night, officers spotted a man matching Duda’s description near residential buildings.
According to police, the suspect fired at them before disappearing into the woods. No injuries were reported.
Działania poszukiwawcze prowadzone na Limanowszczyźnie w dniu 29.06.2025 r. Polska Policja
Opublikowany przez Małopolska Policja Poniedziałek, 30 czerwca 2025
24-hour hotline launched amid four-day manhunt. Police warn public to stay clear of the area
Authorities have set up a 24-hour hotline (+48 47 83 58 690) for any information about Duda’s whereabouts and repeatedly urged the public to avoid the area.
‼️Małopolska Policja uruchomiła specjalną całodobową infolinię, przeznaczoną tylko pod akcję poszukiwawczą za...
Opublikowany przez Małopolska Policja Poniedziałek, 30 czerwca 2025
Police spokeswoman Katarzyna Cisło stressed that the suspect is armed and extremely dangerous.
“If there is a confrontation, we may not be able to react in time to protect curious onlookers,” she warned, after reports that groups of young people had gathered near the cordon.
On Sunday morning, residents heard loud bangs that were initially feared to be more gunfire. Police later clarified they were fireworks set off by a local man to scare away wild animals.
To prevent further confusion, the regional governor imposed a temporary ban on all pyrotechnics in the Limanowa municipality.
(mp)
Source: IAR/PAP/Małopolska Policja/X/@Prok_Okreg_NS/@PolskaPolicja