In the wake of a harrowing shooting in the small Balkan nation of Montenegro, authorities have confirmed that a gunman killed ten people, including two children, following a violent confrontation at a local bar on Wednesday. The tragic event occurred in the city of Cetinje, situated approximately 22 miles from the capital.
Interior Minister Danilo Saranovic reported at a press conference that among the deceased were the bar owner and his children. Authorities identified the suspected shooter as 45-year-old Aco Martinovic, initially prompting a manhunt for his arrest. However, Prime Minister Milojko Spajic later announced that the suspect had been found dead, the cause believed to be self-inflicted wounds, a detail later confirmed by Minister Saranovic.
The repercussions of this shooting extend beyond the deaths, as at least four additional individuals sustained severe injuries. In response to this horrific event, the government is contemplating new firearm regulations, a discussion underscored by Spajic who expressed the collective grief felt throughout the nation. "This is a terrible tragedy that has affected us all," he remarked.
Alongside the declaration of three days of national mourning, President Jakov Milatovic urged the cancellation of public performances and concerts, stating, "Instead of holiday joy, we have been gripped by sadness over the loss of innocent lives." This shooting marks a grim repetition for the city, as it is the second mass shooting in Cetinje within three years; a similar incident in 2022 resulted in the deaths of ten, including two children, before the gunman was shot by a civilian.
Montenegro, home to approximately 620,000 residents, has a notable prevalence of gun ownership. With around 39 firearms per 100 persons, it ranks just behind the United States and Yemen for gun ownership, a statistic that reflects broader concerns regarding violence and safety in the region.
