Gunman, 45, 'shoots himself in head' when surrounded by police after opening fire in a restaurant and killing 10 people including two children in Montenegro

A gunman has killed himself after being surrounded by police who were hunting him after he opened fire in a Montenegro restaurant and shot dead at least 10 people including two children.

Officers had dispatched special troops to search for an armed 45-year-old named in reports as Aco Martinovic in the city of Cetinje, 18 miles northwest of the capital Podgorica.

A statement said the man opened fire in a bar and fled the scene, as civilians were warned he was ‘armed and dangerous’.

Police have now revealed the suspect ‘shot himself in the head’ after being tracked down and surrounded – while Montenegro’s prime minister has vowed to tighten the Balkan country’s firearms laws. 

The suspect ‘took the lives of at least 10 people, two of whom were minors’ who were the children of the restaurant owner, Interior Minister Danilo Saranovic said.

The bar owner and relatives of the suspect were also killed. 

It was reported that the suspect was in ‘conflict’ with another person at the bar and went home to get a gun before returning and killing several people.

RTCG claimed he went on to a second location and killed the bar owner’s children, along with a woman.

Police said the suspect, named in media reports as Aco Martinovic, has been tracked down officers only to shoot himself in the head

Police said the suspect, named in media reports as Aco Martinovic, has been tracked down officers only to shoot himself in the head

Police officers and civil protection units secure a crime scene after a gunman killed several people

Police officers and civil protection units secure a crime scene after a gunman killed several people

Police and security personnel stand on a street in front of a firetruck near the scene

Police and security personnel stand on a street in front of a firetruck near the scene

Mr Saranovic said ‘a number of people were killed’, including the bar owner and his family members, as well as the shooter’s relatives – but did not give a definitive death toll.

President Jakov Milatovic said he was ‘shocked and stunned’ by the tragedy, writing on X: ‘Instead of holiday joy we have been gripped by sadness over the loss of innocent lives.’

Prime Minister Milojko Spajic went to the hospital where the wounded were being treated and announced three days of mourning. from Thursday.

‘This is a terrible tragedy that has affected us all,’ said Mr Spajic. ‘All police teams are out.’

Police launched an hours-long manhunt for the suspect, who ‘shot himself in the head’ when he was surrounded, police chief Lazar Scepanovic has now told reporters.

Mr Scepanovic added: ‘An attempt was made to transport him to a clinical centre but he succumbed to his injuries in the meantime.’

Four people were also seriously wounded and transported to a hospital in the capital Podgorica, though Mr Scepanovic later said their lives were ‘no longer in danger’.

The police chief said the suspect ‘had consumed alcoholic beverages all day’ before the incident between him and another restaurant guest.

Police officers and civil protection units secure the crime scene

Police officers and civil protection units secure the crime scene

The gunman killed several people on January 1, 2025 in a village restaurant

The gunman killed several people on January 1, 2025 in a village restaurant

Mass shootings are comparatively rare in Montenegro which has a deeply-rooted gun culture

Mass shootings are comparatively rare in Montenegro which has a deeply-rooted gun culture

He then ‘went home, took a weapon, used firearms and killed four people at one location’, and then went to three other places, Mr Scepanovic said.

Prime Minister Mr Spajic told state broadcaster RTCG the incident was a ‘restaurant fight’ gone wrong and that he would be tightening the country’s criteria for firearms possession.

‘It was simply a restaurant fight where guns were drawn and everything went in a different direction in which it should not have gone,” he said.

‘This is a tragedy after which we must ask ourselves who should be allowed to possess firearms in Montenegro.’

Mass shootings are comparatively rare in Montenegro which has a deeply-rooted gun culture.

In 2022, 11 people, including two children and a gunman, were killed in a mass shooting in Montenegro, and six others were injured.

Despite strict gun laws, the Western Balkans remain awash with illegal weapons dating back to World War One.

You May Also Like

Actor who played Viktor Krum in Harry Potter movies taken to hospital for urgent surgery after enduring challenges.

Harry Potter’s Stanislav Yanevski, who played Quidditch player Viktor Krum in Harry…

Woman arrested after injuring at least twelve people in a knife attack at a German train station

AT least 12 people were injured in a horror knife attack at…

Shifting focus from reclaiming our neighborhoods to the early release of murderers and sex offenders – evidence that the Labour party is becoming lenient on the justice system.

A sentencing review commissioned by Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood proposes several soft-justice…

Rapper showcases at unexpected show as Irish group reveals soon after member’s arrest for displaying flag in support of Hezbollah

Kneecap have arrived at a surprise London performance – just hours after…

Gary Lineker discusses potential new television role, anticipating a comeback to TV soon after departing BBC.

Gary Lineker is reportedly in talks with another broadcaster which could see…

TV Personality Booed During Entrance to Trump’s Exclusive Dinner While Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Responds to Democrats Upset Over Occasion.

PROTESTERS booed a reality TV star as he walked into an investors’…

Emily Sommer Arrested for Spitting in US Attorney Nominee’s Face on Live TV

A woman is facing accusations of spitting in the face of a…

Unveiled: The alarming statement OceanGate CEO’s wife made upon hearing the Titan sub implosion, before attempting to radio the doomed ship

During the tragic incident aboard the Titan submersible, the CEO’s wife, Wendy…

Air traffic controller expresses concern over safety risks at her airport and refuses to fly from there, fearing fatal consequences

A warning has been issued by an air traffic controller about the…

LOOKOUT: Alert Issued for Indiana Woman Who Has Gone Missing

The Anderson Police Department in Indiana has issued a Silver Alert for…

Reward Increased to $175K for Tips on Murdered Indigenous Girl whose Body was Cut Apart, says Emily Pike

Arizona increased the reward for information leading to an arrest in the…

A 440-foot long cargo ship crashed into my garden unexpectedly, and I only noticed when the doorbell rang.

A COLOSSAL cargo ship crashed into a man’s front garden, missing his…