Mayor Attacked with Knife at Stara Kornica Office

30 April 2026 Poland Radar 0 Comments

A mayor attacked with knife at a municipal office in Stara Kornica led to arrest and hospitalisation. Read why this matters for expats.

An attacker struck Beata Jerzman, the mayor of Stara Kornica, on April 29 inside the municipal building. The mayor attacked with knife left her seriously hurt and prompted a rapid emergency response.

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What happened in Stara Kornica

The incident occurred shortly before 16:00 at the Urząd Gminy, the local municipal office. Police identified a 42-year-old man as the suspect. Consequently, officers detained him at the scene after staff subdued him. Moreover, emergency services transported the wounded mayor by helicopter from the Lotnicze Pogotowie Ratunkowe, Poland’s air ambulance service. In addition, local medics and firefighters treated the scene and secured the building.

Suspect, injuries and immediate response

The suspect reportedly worked at the local PSZOK, the selective municipal waste collection point. Therefore, investigators are exploring the relationship between him and local officials. However, authorities have not yet publicly stated a motive. Medical teams treated the mayor for wounds to her neck and kidney area. Consequently, doctors moved her to the Mazowiecki Szpital Wojewódzki in Siedlce for surgery. Fortunately, officials later called her condition stable and said her life was not at risk.

Investigation and local context

Local police from Łosice County lead the inquiry. In addition, investigators have confirmed that a breath test showed the suspect was sober. However, the police have not released his name. Moreover, investigators will examine CCTV and interview witnesses. Therefore, prosecutors must determine charges before court proceedings begin. In Poland, police and prosecutors usually move quickly in attacks on public officials. Consequently, residents often see a higher level of scrutiny for crimes against local leaders.

Why this matters for expats

Small towns in Poland often revolve around municipal institutions. Therefore, violence at a town hall can shake local services and trust. Moreover, mayoral offices handle essential matters like permits, social support, and local taxes. In addition, services often link to national systems, such as the NFZ (National Health Fund) and ZUS (social insurance institution). Consequently, disruptions can delay benefits, medical referrals, or permit processing. However, most administrative services will continue under temporary leadership.

💡 GOOD TO KNOW: If you live in rural Poland, remember emergency number 112 for urgent help. Moreover, municipal buildings usually remain open after incidents, but procedures may change. In addition, PSZOK means a local municipal waste collection point. Therefore, if you need urgent documents, contact the gmina office by phone first. Finally, consider registering with your embassy for updates, and keep PESEL (national ID number) info and NFZ registration details handy for healthcare access.

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