A tragic shooting rampage unfolded in the western Montenegrin town of Cetinje on Wednesday, leaving at least 12 people dead, including two children, and injuring four others. The attacker, identified as 45-year-old Aco Martinović, took his own life after being surrounded by police, officials confirmed on Thursday.
A Violent Day in Cetinje
The violence began following a bar brawl, according to Interior Minister Danilo Šaranović, who detailed the sequence of events leading to the tragedy. Martinović fatally shot the bar owner, the owner’s children, and members of his own family before continuing his attack across multiple locations in the town, located approximately 30 kilometers (18 miles) northwest of Montenegro’s capital, Podgorica.
Police Commissioner Lazar Šćepanović revealed that the suspect had been at the bar earlier in the day. “Martinović was at the bar throughout the day with other guests when the brawl erupted,” he stated. The shooter then returned home, retrieved a firearm, and returned to the bar at approximately 5:30 p.m., where he opened fire. “He killed four people” at the bar before proceeding to target individuals in three other locations.
A Troubled History
Authorities confirmed Martinović had a criminal record and was known for erratic and violent behavior. He had previously received a suspended sentence in 2005 for violent conduct and was appealing a recent conviction for illegal weapons possession.
Montenegrin media reports further highlighted Martinović’s history of instability, raising concerns about the broader implications of unchecked violent tendencies.
National Mourning Declared
In the wake of the tragedy, the government declared three days of national mourning beginning Thursday. Prime Minister Milojko Spajić described the events as a “terrible tragedy.”
Interior Minister Šaranović underscored the severity of the incident, stating, “The level of rage and brutality shows that sometimes such people … are even more dangerous than members of organized criminal gangs.”
Police Response and Shooter’s Death
Police deployed a special unit to locate Martinović, blocking all roads in and out of Cetinje. The suspect was eventually cornered by authorities but ended the standoff by shooting himself in the head. Minister Šaranović confirmed that Martinović succumbed to his injuries while being transported to a hospital in Podgorica.
Wednesday’s incident marks the second mass shooting in Cetinje in recent years. In August 2022, another attacker killed 10 people, including two children, before being fatally shot by a passerby.
Gun Culture in Montenegro
Montenegro, a nation of approximately 620,000 people, is noted for its gun culture, with many citizens traditionally owning firearms. The tragedy has reignited discussions about gun ownership and regulation within the small Balkan country.
This unfolding tragedy highlights not only the profound loss of life but also the ongoing challenges of addressing violence and ensuring public safety in a nation with deeply ingrained traditions of gun ownership.
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