CETINJE, Montenegro – A devastating shooting in the town of Cetinje has left 12 dead, including two children, and at least four wounded. The assailant, identified as 45-year-old Aco Martinović, took his own life following the rampage, which unfolded on Wednesday.
The incident, which occurred after a bar altercation, marks the second mass shooting in Cetinje in recent years. Authorities report that Martinović targeted the bar owner, his children, and members of his own family.
Following the shooting, the attacker fled the scene but was later located and surrounded by police. Interior Minister Danilo Šaranović confirmed that Martinović died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The community is in shock and mourning, with residents expressing deep sorrow and disbelief.
A special police unit was dispatched to the town, and all routes in and out were closed for hours during the search. The prosecutor, Andrijana Nastic, stated that the attacker moved through six locations during the spree, ultimately taking his own life at the final site.
The attack unfolded in a series of stages, starting at the bar where four men were killed. The assailant then moved to other locations, killing four more people, then two children at separate sites. He subsequently killed two others before fatally shooting himself. An official investigation is underway to determine the precise circumstances of the event.
In response, the Montenegrin government has declared three days of national mourning and canceled all planned New Year's celebrations nationwide. Prime Minister Milojko Spajić has raised the possibility of a complete ban on weapons ownership, acknowledging the country's deep-rooted gun culture.
This tragedy occurs just over a year after a similar mass shooting in Cetinje, where 10 people, including two children, were killed. Police have stated that the suspect had a prior record including a suspended sentence for violent behavior and was known for his unstable nature. President Jakov Milatović has expressed profound sadness over the loss of innocent lives.
This report includes contributions from Jovana Gec and Dušan Stojanović in Belgrade, Serbia.
