Montenegro has been thrown into mourning following a tragic New Year day shooting spree that left 12 people dead, including two children in the southern city of Cetinje.
The gunman, a 45-year-old Aco Martinovic was said to have been heavily intoxicated before carrying out the horrifying attacks.
According to authorities, the incident began at a local restaurant around 5:30 p.m. (16:30 GMT) when Martinovic got into a heated argument with another guest.
Following the altercation, he left the scene, retrieved a firearm from his home, and returned to the restaurant, where he opened fire, killing several patrons.
The carnage continued as Martinovic drove to five other locations, targeting individuals indiscriminately, including members of his immediate and extended family.
Among the victims were the restaurant owner and two children, aged 10 and 13.
Police launched hours-long manhunt before locating Martinovic.
During a tense standoff, he turned the weapon on himself, succumbing to his injuries while being transported to the hospital.
Montenegro’s Prime Minister, Milojko Spajic described the incident as a tragedy that has “shrouded our country in black.”
Declaring three days of national mourning, Spajic expressed his grief on social media, saying, “This senseless act has caused immeasurable sadness and bitterness in each of us. There are no words of comfort.”
In the same vein, the Interior Minister, Danilo Saranovic attributed the incident to “disturbed interpersonal relations,” highlighting the need for stronger preventive measures.
Four individuals remained hospitalised with serious injuries while authorities reported that three others were in stable but critical condition, with one in life-threatening condition.
Montenegro’s Security Council was set to convene for an emergency meeting to consider stricter measures, including a potential nationwide ban on private firearm ownership.
Mass shootings were rare in Montenegro, a small Balkan nation, though the country has seen occasional instances of deadly violence.
In 2022, a family dispute in Cetinje led to another tragic shooting that claimed multiple lives, including those of children.
