Justice Served: Parents Sentenced in Belgrade School Shooting Case
In a tragic echo of recent events, a court in Belgrade has sentenced the parents of a 13-year-old boy responsible for the shooting deaths of nine students and a security guard at an elementary school in May 2023. The Higher Court announced a 14-year sentence for Vladimir Kecmanovic, the boy's father, and a three-year sentence for his mother, Miljana Kecmanovic. The court also sentenced shooting range instructor Nemanja Marinkovic to one year and three months in prison. All three individuals have the right to appeal their sentences.
Vladimir Kecmanovic was found guilty of serious crimes against public safety and neglecting and abusing a minor. Reports indicate he trained his son to handle firearms and failed to secure the weapons that were ultimately used in the tragic event. Miljana Kecmanovic received her sentence based on charges of neglecting her son. Additionally, Marinkovic was convicted for providing false testimony during the trial.
Due to the boy’s age, no criminal proceedings have been instituted against him, but he has been placed in a psychiatric hospital since the shooting. Throughout the 11-month trial, which was closed to the public at the prosecution's request, the 13-year-old was questioned, leading to expanded charges against his parents for their neglectful oversight.
On the day of the shooting, the student reportedly used his father's firearm, opening fire during the first period of school, ultimately killing nine students and a security guard and injuring five others, including a teacher. This incident shocked Serbia, which faced another mass shooting just a day later when 21-year-old Uros Blazic used an automatic weapon in a separate attack that left nine individuals dead in nearby villages. Blazic received a 20-year maximum sentence, with his father also sentenced to 20 years for possessing illegal weapons used in the attack.
In reaction to this unprecedented violence, the Serbian government has enacted several measures aimed at preventing future tragedies, including disarming the populace, forming a Council for the Fight Against Peer Violence, and enhancing police presence in schools while increasing the involvement of child psychologists.
This case in Serbia draws parallels to a similar case in the United States, where in 2021, the parents of a 15-year-old school shooter were convicted for their role in the tragedy. Jennifer and James Crumbley received sentences of at least ten years in prison for neglecting to secure a firearm and disregarding signs of their son’s declining mental health. Their son, Ethan Crumbley, has since pleaded guilty and is currently serving a life sentence for killing four classmates.
The sentencing of the Kecmanovics marks a significant moment in the ongoing discussion about parental responsibility and the need for more stringent firearm regulations, particularly regarding minors in possession of weapons. As communities continue to grapple with the aftermath of such tragedies, the focus remains on preventing future occurrences and addressing the mental health issues that can lead to such devastating actions.
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