A 45-year-old man named Aco Martinovic killed 12 people in the small town of Cetinje before turning the gun on himself early Thursday, authorities reported.
The tragedy unfolded Wednesday afternoon when Martinovic opened fire at a restaurant, killing four people after a heated altercation. He then went on a shooting spree, claiming the lives of eight more, including two children and his own sister, with whom he reportedly shared a close bond. Police director Lazar Scepanovic revealed that all the victims were known to the shooter, many being family and friends.
Police initially received incorrect information about the shooting location, delaying their response. Once cornered near his home, Martinovic shot himself as officers ordered him to surrender. He later succumbed to his wounds en route to the hospital. Investigators discovered an illegally owned handgun and 90 rounds of ammunition on his body.
This massacre marks the second mass shooting in Cetinje in under three years. In August 2022, another gunman killed 10 people before being fatally shot.
Montenegro is grappling with the aftermath. Prime Minister Milojko Spajic declared three days of national mourning and called for a National Security Council meeting to discuss measures to curb illegal firearms. Potential reforms include stricter gun ownership laws and increased police recruitment. However, implementing such controls may face significant resistance in a region where illegal weapons, remnants of the 1990s Balkan wars, are prevalent.
The tragedy has sparked anger and sorrow. Residents of Cetinje and other cities gathered to light candles and mourn the victims. “The society is in a crisis,” remarked Sanja Jovanovic, expressing frustration over the government’s lack of accountability.
Authorities disclosed that Martinovic had a history of heavy drinking and was previously found with airguns and a homemade bomb in 2022. Despite being sentenced to three months in jail, court proceedings were ongoing, and he had been ordered to undergo psychiatric evaluation.
As Montenegro mourns, questions linger about how to prevent such tragedies in a society struggling with deeply rooted issues of violence and firearm proliferation.
