Source: AP
A gunman in Cetinje, Montenegro, killed 12 people, including two children, following a violent altercation at a bar, according to authorities. The tragic incident unfolded in the town about 18 miles northwest of the capital, Podgorica.
The suspect, identified as 45-year-old Aleksandar Martinovic, reportedly began his rampage by killing the bar owner, the owner's children, and members of his own family. He then fled, continuing to target others across three separate locations.
Montenegro's Interior Minister Danilo Saranovic confirmed that four others were wounded during the attack. A special police unit was dispatched to Cetinje, where officers blocked all entry and exit points while searching for the assailant.
Martinovic ultimately took his own life near his home, police said. He sustained a fatal head wound and died while being transported to the hospital.
The cousin of one victim, Vanja Popovic, expressed grief, stating, "[The] son of my aunt is among the dead... we are all shocked."
National mourning declared
President Jakov Milatovic expressed sorrow over the incident, writing on social media that the country had been "gripped by sadness" instead of holiday cheer. Prime Minister Milojko Spajic visited the hospital where survivors were receiving treatment and declared three days of mourning.
“This is a terrible tragedy that has affected us all,” said Spajic.
Details of the attack
Police Commissioner Lazar Scepanovic revealed that Martinovic had spent the day at the bar before a dispute erupted. The suspect later returned with a weapon and began shooting at around 5:30 p.m.
The gunman had a history of violent behavior, including a suspended sentence in 2005 for violent conduct. He had recently appealed a conviction for illegal possession of weapons. Local media described him as having a reputation for erratic and aggressive actions.
Recurring violence
The shooting is Montenegro's second mass killing in Cetinje in three years. In August 2022, another attacker killed 10 people, including two children, before being stopped by a passerby.
The small Balkan nation, with a population of about 620,000, has a longstanding gun culture, with firearms being a common household possession. This recent tragedy has reignited concerns about violence and gun laws in the region.
