On a quiet evening at the University of Warsaw, a senseless act of violence shattered the campus’s tranquility, leaving a community in mourning and a family devastated. Małgorzata, a 52-year-old porter and mother of three, was brutally murdered on May 7, just before 7 p.m., as she performed the routine task of closing the Auditorium Maximum. Known for her warmth and dedication, Małgorzata was a beloved figure among students and staff, her presence a comforting constant in the daily life of the university. Her life was cut short by a 22-year-old third-year law student, who, armed with an axe, attacked her in a horrifying act that has left authorities and the public searching for answers.
The attacker, a Polish citizen from the Tri-City area, was apprehended by police shortly after the incident and is currently in custody. Details about his background remain sparse, and his motives are still unclear. Investigators have yet to determine whether he had any prior connection to Małgorzata or what drove him to commit such a heinous crime. The brutality of the attack was evident in the extensive injuries Małgorzata sustained, particularly to her head, suggesting she fought desperately to defend herself. A university security guard, aged 39, heroically intervened but was severely injured in the process, suffering cuts to his hands and a critical head wound. He remains hospitalized, fighting for his life.
In the hours following the tragedy, the University of Warsaw campus became a place of collective grief. By the next morning, candles, flowers, and a photograph of Małgorzata had been placed at the site of the attack, a makeshift memorial reflecting the depth of the community’s loss. Students spoke of her kindness, recalling how she greeted them with a smile and made the campus feel like home. The university, led by Rector Alojzy Nowak, has declared May 8 a day of mourning, canceling classes to honor Małgorzata’s memory. In a press conference, Nowak expressed the institution’s triple burden of sorrow: for the loss of a cherished colleague, for the injury of a courageous security guard, and for the fact that the perpetrator was one of their own students.
The incident has reverberated beyond the campus, prompting an outpouring of support and condolences. Public figures, including Magdalena Biejat, visited the site to pay their respects, and the university has pledged assistance to Małgorzata’s family, who are grappling with the sudden loss of a devoted mother. The attack has also raised questions about campus safety and the factors that could lead a young student to commit such an act. While police continue their investigation, the lack of a clear motive has left many unsettled, fueling speculation and concern.
As the University of Warsaw community begins to process this tragedy, Małgorzata’s memory endures as a testament to her kindness and resilience. The bravery of the security guard who risked his life to protect her serves as a powerful reminder of humanity’s capacity for courage in the face of unimaginable horror. For now, the campus mourns, holding tight to the values of compassion and unity that Małgorzata embodied, while seeking justice and healing in the wake of an unthinkable loss.