The manhunt for 57-year-old Tadeusz Duda, suspected of a double murder in Stara Wieś near Limanowa, is now in its second day. Hundreds of police officers from across Poland have been deployed, along with police helicopters, drones and tracking dogs. Who is the man being sought, and what is known about his victims?
Intensive search in difficult terrain
Since Friday morning, the area around Stara Wieś has been combed by more than 450 officers, including riot police, counter-terrorism units and specialist teams with dogs trained in molecular scent detection. A Black Hawk police helicopter has joined the operation to provide aerial support. Police have set up roadblocks, are checking vehicles and are following up on every tip from residents.
The search area is exceptionally difficult – it consists of extensive, forested areas of the Beskid Wyspowy range. According to experts, the suspect may know the surrounding forests well, which makes his quick capture harder.
Who is the wanted man, Tadeusz Duda?
57-year-old Tadeusz Duda was already known to the police. The family at the centre of the tragedy had been placed under the Blue Card (Niebieska Karta) procedure for domestic violence. In the past, police repeatedly intervened in relation to Duda – threats to kill and abuse of the family were reported. The man also had a restraining order preventing him from approaching his relatives. In April this year he was placed under police supervision, but on the day of the tragedy the restriction was no longer in force.
According to residents and investigators, Duda had difficult relations with his family for years, and neighbours feared his aggressive behaviour. He was seen as a confrontational person, and household members had turned to support institutions for help.
How the tragedy unfolded and the victims
The shooting took place on Friday, 27 June, before noon. According to prosecutors, Tadeusz Duda first shot his 73-year-old mother-in-law, then went to his daughter’s house, several hundred metres away. There he shot dead his 26-year-old daughter Justyna and her 31-year-old husband Zbigniew. The couple’s one-year-old daughter, who was also in the house, was not injured.
The injured mother-in-law has undergone surgery and her condition is stable. The local community is shaken by the tragedy – the victims were well known and liked, and their deaths have caused deep grief among residents.
Video filmed by neighbours
Police appeal and residents' safety
Police warn that the wanted man may be armed and dangerous. They advise extreme caution, not approaching any unknown people in the area, and immediately reporting any information by calling the emergency number 112. An alert from the Government Centre for Security (RCB) has been sent to residents of Lesser Poland, Silesia and Subcarpathia.
The manhunt is in its second day, with hundreds of officers, a helicopter, drones and tracking dogs involved.
- Tadeusz Duda was known to police over domestic violence and had previously been subject to a restraining order keeping him away from his family.
- The victims are the 26-year-old daughter, the 31-year-old son-in-law and the suspect’s seriously wounded mother-in-law.
- Police are appealing for vigilance, and the local community is shaken by the tragedy.
The situation remains fluid. Police are continuing their efforts, and residents of the region are following further developments with concern.
Did Tadeusz Duda have a weapon legally?
According to prosecutors, Tadeusz Duda did not possess a legally registered firearm for which he had previously obtained a permit.
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