Tragedy Strikes Montenegro as Gunman Kills 10 in Cetinje Mass Shooting
In a shocking incident on Wednesday, a gunman took the lives of at least 10 individuals, including two children, in southern Montenegro, according to police reports. The violence erupted following a verbal altercation between guests at a restaurant in the Cetinje area.
The assailant, identified as Aleksandar Martinović, subsequently took his own life. Montenegro's Prime Minister, Milojko Spajic, has declared three days of national mourning beginning Thursday, describing the shooting as a "terrible tragedy."
Interior Minister Danilo Saranovic confirmed that the gunman targeted members of his own family, as well as the children of the restaurant owners. Saranovic attributed the violence to "disturbed interpersonal relations," as stated by the AFP news agency.
Reports indicate that four of the shooting victims are in critical condition and receiving treatment in the hospital, highlighting the grave nature of the assault.
After the shooting, Martinović fled the scene but was later found surrounded by police. Despite their attempts to persuade him to surrender peacefully, he ultimately took his own life, intensifying the tragedy of the day. It was noted that Martinović had a previous arrest for weapons possession, raising concerns about gun control in the region.
Mass shootings are relatively rare in Montenegro, a small Balkan nation, which further compounds the shock and grief of this tragic event.
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