A tragic incident unfolded at the University of Warsaw on May 7, 2025, when a 22-year-old law student, Mieszko R., allegedly attacked a university porter, leading to her death and injuring a security guard. The attack has shocked the academic community and raised questions about the motives behind such a brutal act.
According to the Warsaw District Prosecutor's Office, the victim, identified as 53-year-old Małgorzata D., was a random target. She was closing the doors to the Auditorium Maximum when Mieszko R. struck her with a hatchet, resulting in fatal injuries. A 39-year-old university security guard, who attempted to intervene, was also severely injured but is now reported to be in stable condition.
Following the attack, Mieszko R. was quickly apprehended by university guards and a security officer assigned to protect Minister Adam Bodnar, who was present on campus at the time. Prosecutors have charged him with murder, attempted murder, and desecration of a corpse, with the first two charges potentially leading to life imprisonment.
During a press conference on May 8, Prosecutor Piotr Antoni Skiba stated that Mieszko R. confessed to the crimes but also provided "illogical and incoherent" statements regarding the incident. This has led to a request for a psychiatric evaluation to better understand his mental state at the time of the attack.
However, Mieszko R.'s lawyer, Maciej Zaborowski, strongly refuted the prosecution's claims of a confession, stating, "It’s nonsense. My client did not admit guilt during the interrogation; he refused to answer many questions, including whether he admits to the act." Zaborowski emphasized that the recorded interrogation and the official protocol would clarify any discrepancies between the prosecution's statements and the truth.
The legal proceedings have sparked a significant amount of media attention and public discourse. Onlookers and community members are grappling with the shocking nature of the crime, particularly given that Małgorzata D. was an innocent victim, with no prior connection to Mieszko R.
In the aftermath of the attack, it has been revealed that Mieszko R. was not undergoing any psychiatric treatment and had not taken any medication in the past year. This raises further questions about his mental health and the motivations behind such a violent act. Prosecutor Skiba expressed disbelief regarding the motivations, stating, "The mind cannot comprehend what could have driven the perpetrator. This was not normal behavior."
As the investigation continues, the prosecution is seeking a three-month temporary arrest for Mieszko R., with a preliminary decision expected on May 9, 2025. The autopsy for Małgorzata D. is scheduled for May 12, 2025, which may provide further insights into the circumstances surrounding her death.
The university community is left in mourning, grappling with the loss of a colleague and the traumatic implications of the event. Many are calling for a deeper examination of security measures on campus and the mental health resources available to students.
This incident has ignited discussions about the safety of educational institutions and the support systems in place for students, particularly as universities increasingly face challenges related to mental health and violence. As details continue to emerge, the community and authorities alike are left to ponder how such a tragedy could occur and what steps can be taken to prevent future incidents.
In a statement, Zaborowski reflected on the gravity of the situation, noting, "This is a tremendous tragedy for everyone involved, especially for the victims, but also for this man and his family. It’s an extraordinary situation that we must come to terms with." The legal proceedings ahead will likely reveal more about the circumstances leading up to the attack and the psychological state of the accused.
The University of Warsaw has not yet released a comprehensive statement regarding the incident, but it is clear that the repercussions of this attack will be felt for a long time within the community.
