On January 1, 2025, a gunman opened fire in Cetinje, Montenegro, tragically resulting in the deaths of at least 10 individuals, including two children. The violent outbreak, which followed a dispute at a local bar, prompted an immediate government response, including a three-day mourning period across the nation, as confirmed by officials.
The police reported the incident occurred about 22 miles from Montenegro's capital, where the victims included the bar's owner and his children. Interior Minister Danilo Saranovic announced that the shooter, identified as Aco Martinovic, was initially the target of a manhunt. However, by the afternoon, Prime Minister Milojko Spajic revealed Martinovic had died from self-inflicted injuries. Reports indicate that the gunman took his own life following the rampage.
In addition to the fatalities, at least four people suffered serious injuries during the shooting incident. The Prime Minister expressed the profound sorrow felt by the community and suggested future discussions about tightening firearms regulations in light of this tragedy. "This is a terrible tragedy that has affected us all," he stated at a press briefing.
The Montenegrin government has taken steps to commemorate the lives lost; cities have been urged to suspend all concerts and public celebrations. President Jakov Milatovic lamented, "Instead of holiday joy, we have been gripped by sadness over the loss of innocent lives."
This harrowing event marks the second mass shooting in Cetinje within just three years, with a similar incident claiming 10 lives, including two children, in 2022. Montenegro, a Balkan nation of approximately 620,000 residents, has notably high firearm ownership rates, ranking closely in firearm prevalence with Serbia, according to a 2018 Small Arms Survey that listed 39 firearms per 100 individuals. The latest shooting has reignited ongoing discussions about the need for stricter gun control measures in the region.
The police reported the incident occurred about 22 miles from Montenegro's capital, where the victims included the bar's owner and his children. Interior Minister Danilo Saranovic announced that the shooter, identified as Aco Martinovic, was initially the target of a manhunt. However, by the afternoon, Prime Minister Milojko Spajic revealed Martinovic had died from self-inflicted injuries. Reports indicate that the gunman took his own life following the rampage.
In addition to the fatalities, at least four people suffered serious injuries during the shooting incident. The Prime Minister expressed the profound sorrow felt by the community and suggested future discussions about tightening firearms regulations in light of this tragedy. "This is a terrible tragedy that has affected us all," he stated at a press briefing.
The Montenegrin government has taken steps to commemorate the lives lost; cities have been urged to suspend all concerts and public celebrations. President Jakov Milatovic lamented, "Instead of holiday joy, we have been gripped by sadness over the loss of innocent lives."
This harrowing event marks the second mass shooting in Cetinje within just three years, with a similar incident claiming 10 lives, including two children, in 2022. Montenegro, a Balkan nation of approximately 620,000 residents, has notably high firearm ownership rates, ranking closely in firearm prevalence with Serbia, according to a 2018 Small Arms Survey that listed 39 firearms per 100 individuals. The latest shooting has reignited ongoing discussions about the need for stricter gun control measures in the region.
