Cetinje, Montenegro — A devastating shooting rampage in Cetinje, Montenegro has left 12 people dead, including two children and three women, marking one of the darkest days in the country’s history. The violence unfolded on New Year’s Day, shattering the festive atmosphere with unimaginable grief.
This tragic incident began in a local tavern following a dispute that escalated dramatically when 45-year-old Aleksandar “Aco” Martinovic, after a day marred by alcohol consumption, retrieved a firearm from his home. Authorities reported that the attack spanned multiple locations and claimed the lives of both strangers and acquaintances, some of whom were the assailant’s friends and close family.
Lazar Šćepanović, the acting director of Montenegro’s Police Administration, detailed the span of the attack across five locations over a 30-minute period which initiated with a misreported location, causing a 20-minute delay for police response from Podgorica, the nearest city. Among those killed were the children and wife of a tavern owner, as well as Martinovic’s own sister.
In a somber revelation, officials disclosed that after targeting multiple sites, Martinovic ended his own life with a gunshot. He succumbed to his injuries while being transported to the hospital, despite immediate medical intervention.
The aftermath of the shooting left four others critically wounded, with one still battling life-threatening injuries. The violent act has reignited debates over gun control in a region with one of the highest rates of firearm ownership in the world. Montenegro, with nearly 39 firearms per 100 residents, has long been scrutinized for its liberal gun laws.
In response to the tragedy, Prime Minister Milojko Spajic condemned the incident strongly, emphasizing the need for stringent control over weapons access. “Weapons must not be on the streets and in the hands of those who can harm others,” Spajic declared. The government has since declared three days of mourning and cancelled all scheduled New Year celebrations.
Further compounding the concern, it was revealed that Martinovic had a previous criminal record including a conviction for illegal weapon possession and aggressive behavior. This has sparked widespread criticism regarding the enforcement and stringency of existing firearm regulations.
Looking ahead, the Montenegrin government is scheduled to convene an emergency security council meeting to discuss substantial reforms in weapon control policies. Measures under consideration include a comprehensive ban on weapons and tightening the criteria for weapon possession.
This isn’t the first time Cetinje has been the scene of such a tragedy. A similar incident in August 2022 claimed 10 lives, including two children. The recurring violence has fueled a strong public outcry for decisive action against the proliferation of illegal firearms.
In light of these recurrent tragedies, a high-level conference was held in Podgorica, where authorities unveiled plans for robust initiatives targeting illegal firearms, including updated security and psychological evaluations for registered firearm owners, alongside severe penalties for unlawful possession.
The President Jakov Milatović expressed the nation’s collective heartbreak on social media, stating, “Instead of holiday joy, we are gripped by sadness over the loss of innocent lives.” As Montenegro mourns, the resolve to prevent future tragedies and address the underlying issues of firearm abuse and regulation grows stronger.