Tragedy in Montenegro: Mass Shooting Claims at Least 12 Lives, Including Two Children
Department of Research, Studies and International News 02-01-2025
A devastating mass shooting in Montenegro has left the nation in mourning, as at least 12 people, including two young children, lost their lives in a rampage that began in a restaurant and continued across three separate locations in the small town of Cetinje. Authorities confirmed that the suspected perpetrator, identified as 45-year-old Aleksandar Martinovic, ended his own life after being surrounded by law enforcement.
The tragedy unfolded when Martinovic reportedly started his violent spree late Wednesday night at a restaurant owned by the family of the two young victims. The children, aged 10 and 13, were killed along with their parent, who owned the establishment, according to Interior Minister Danilo Saranovic. Officials believe the suspect had been consuming alcohol heavily before the attack, which escalated into a series of shootings that shocked the quiet valley town.
Following the shootings, police launched an intense manhunt, closing all roads leading to and from Cetinje, a historic town located approximately 38 kilometers (23.6 miles) west of the capital, Podgorica. Authorities eventually located the suspect near his residence. Police Chief Lazar Scepanovic revealed that when officers ordered Martinovic to surrender and lay down his weapon, he responded by turning the gun on himself, inflicting a fatal wound to the head.
“Despite efforts to transport him to a clinical center, he succumbed to his injuries en route,” Scepanovic stated during a press briefing.
Montenegro’s Prime Minister, Milojko Spajic, expressed his grief over the tragedy in a heartfelt social media post, calling the incident a “senseless act” that had cast a dark shadow over the nation. “This has caused immeasurable sadness and bitterness in all of us. Words cannot provide comfort,” Spajic wrote.
In the aftermath of the attack, Montenegro’s national security council is considering a range of measures, including the possibility of a complete ban on private firearm ownership. The prime minister declared three days of national mourning to honor the victims and reflect on the tragedy.
Meanwhile, four individuals who were gravely injured during the attack are currently battling for their lives at a hospital in Podgorica. The suspect’s violent history has also come under scrutiny; media reports indicate that Martinovic had previously faced legal trouble for illegal possession of firearms and had received a suspended sentence for violent behavior in 2005.
This mass shooting is not the first tragedy to strike Cetinje in recent years. In August 2022, another attacker killed 10 people, including two children, before being fatally shot by a passerby. Such incidents have raised concerns about the nation’s gun culture. Montenegro, home to a population of around 620,000, has a deep-rooted tradition of firearm ownership, a practice that has come under increased scrutiny as officials strive to address rising violence.
Adding to the country’s challenges are ongoing struggles with organized crime and corruption, issues that authorities have pledged to combat under the watchful eye of the European Union, which Montenegro aspires to join.
This latest act of violence serves as a stark reminder of the pressing need for reforms and stricter gun control measures. For now, the nation mourns its loss, grappling with the shock of yet another devastating attack that has left a deep scar on its collective consciousness.