The small town of Cetinje in Montenegro was shaken by a tragic incident on Wednesday, when a gunman identified as Aleksandar Martinovic went on a rampage, killing at least 10 people. The chaos came to an end when the gunman, cornered by police, attempted suicide near his home. Montenegro’s Interior Minister, Danilo Saranovic, confirmed that Martinovic died from self-inflicted injuries while being transported to the hospital.
The shooting spree began at a restaurant in Cetinje, where Martinovic fatally shot four people before moving on to three other locations, claiming the lives of at least six more individuals, including two children. Four others sustained life-threatening injuries during the attack. It was revealed that the gunman had a history of illegal weapons possession, shedding light on the severity of the situation.
Authorities shared that Martinovic, believed to have been intoxicated, engaged in a brawl before opening fire. Prime Minister Milojko Spajic emphasized that the incident was not linked to organized crime, offering some relief amidst the tragedy. This devastating event echoed a similar mass shooting in Cetinje in 2022, further underscoring the urgent need for stricter gun control measures in Montenegro.
The senseless violence shocked the nation of 605,000 people, prompting Spajic to declare three days of national mourning. President Jakov Milatovic expressed his horror at the attack, reflecting the collective grief and disbelief felt across the country. Despite existing gun laws, the Western Balkans, including Montenegro, continue to grapple with a proliferation of weapons stemming from past conflicts.
In response to the tragedy, Spajic announced plans to reassess firearm regulations, considering potential restrictions on gun ownership and carrying. The government’s commitment to exploring stricter measures in the wake of this tragedy underscores the need for comprehensive action to prevent such senseless acts of violence in the future. The community in Cetinje and beyond mourns the lives lost in this heartbreaking event, standing in solidarity against the scourge of gun violence.
