The perpetrator, identified as Aco Martinovic, allegedly ended the lives of at least 10 individuals, including two minors, in a Montenegro town before ultimately succumbing to self-inflicted wounds as law enforcement closed in on him.
Reportedly, the 45-year-old took his own life in the vicinity of his residence in Centinje, as confirmed by the nation’s Interior Minister Danilo Saranovic.
According to Saranovic, the Minister of Interior, Martinovic resorted to suicide upon realizing the futility of his circumstances. Although he did not perish immediately, he passed away while being transported to the hospital.
He said that Martinovic then went home, brought back a weapon and opened fire at around 5.30pm.
“He killed four people” at the bar, before heading out and then continued shooting at three more locations, Scepanovic said.
“He tried to take the lives of four more people, and then fled with the vehicle he was using, which we have found.”
He said that the suspect received a suspended sentence in 2005 for violent behaviour and has appealed his latest conviction for illegal possession of weapons.
Montenegrin media have reported he was known for erratic and violent behaviour.
Montenegro, which has about 620,000 people, is known for its gun culture and many people traditionally have weapons.
The shooting was the second shooting rampage over the past three years in Cetinje, Montenegro’s historic capital.
An attacker also killed 10 people, including two children, in August 2022 before he was shot and killed by a passerby in Cetinje.
President Jakov Milatovic said he was “shocked and stunned” by the tragedy.
“Instead of holiday joy … we have been gripped by sadness over the loss of innocent lives,” Milatovic said on the social media platform X.
Prime Minister Milojko Spajic went to the hospital where the wounded were being treated and announced three days of mourning.
He said “all police teams” were out searching for the suspect.
“This is a terrible tragedy that has affected us all,” Spajic said.
