Montenegro Gunman Kills 12 In New Year Day Rampage
Montenegro is reeling from a horrific shooting spree that occurred on New Year’s Day, claiming the lives of 12 people, including two children, in the southern city of Cetinje. The gunman, identified as 45-year-old Aco Martinovic, was reportedly heavily intoxicated when he launched the deadly rampage.
The tragedy began around 5:30 p.m. (16:30 GMT) at a local restaurant, where Martinovic got into a heated argument with another guest. After the altercation, he left the restaurant, retrieved a firearm from his home, and returned, opening fire on several patrons. The violence continued as Martinovic drove to five other locations, targeting people indiscriminately, including members of his own family.
Among the victims were the restaurant owner and two children, aged 10 and 13. Police launched an hours-long manhunt and eventually located Martinovic, who was involved in a tense standoff with law enforcement. During the standoff, he turned the weapon on himself and died from his injuries while being transported to the hospital.
Montenegro’s Prime Minister, Milojko Spajic, expressed his deep sorrow over the incident, calling it a tragedy that has “shrouded our country in black.” He declared three days of national mourning, adding, “This senseless act has caused immeasurable sadness and bitterness in each of us. There are no words of comfort.”
The Interior Minister, Danilo Saranovic, attributed the incident to “disturbed interpersonal relations” and stressed the need for stronger preventive measures to avoid such violence in the future.
In addition to the 12 fatalities, four individuals remain hospitalized with serious injuries, while three others are in stable but critical condition. One person remains in life-threatening condition.
The Montenegro Security Council is scheduled for an emergency meeting to discuss stricter regulations, including the possibility of a nationwide ban on private firearm ownership. While mass shootings are rare in Montenegro, this tragic event highlights ongoing concerns about violence in the small Balkan nation. A similar incident in 2022 also involved a deadly family dispute in Cetinje, further raising alarms about the potential for violence in the country.
