Emergency services responded swiftly to a horrific mass shooting in Cetinje, Montenegro, where a gunman killed 12 individuals, including two children, during a violent outburst on Wednesday. Authorities reported that the chaos erupted inside a restaurant following a heated verbal exchange among patrons.
The shooter, 45-year-old Aleksandar Martinović, also targeted members of his own family and restaurant workers, resulting in numerous casualties. He fled the scene before ultimately succumbing to self-inflicted injuries after being cornered by police, who were urging him to surrender.
Montenegro's Prime Minister Milojko Spajic expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, announcing a three-day national mourning period. He remarked that the event had "shrouded our country in black" and emphasized the profound sadness that pervaded the nation.
Interior Minister Danilo Saranovic referred to the incident as a consequence of "disturbed interpersonal relations" and shared that the assailant had been heavily intoxicated at the time of the attack. Four individuals sustained severe injuries and were promptly transported to the hospital for treatment.
As a response to this heartbreaking event, Prime Minister Spajic indicated that the country's security council would urgently deliberate measures to enhance public safety, one of which may involve a complete prohibition on weapon ownership. Mass shootings remain a rarity in Montenegro, with another tragic incident occurring in Cetinje in 2022, which involved a familial dispute that ended in violence.
