Montenegro mourns after gunman kills at least 12 people before shooting himself

A horrific shooting occurred in Montenegro on Thursday, where a gunman killed 12 people, including two children, in the western town of Cetinje before taking his own life, sparking shock and grief across the country. According to officials, the shooting in Cetinje on Wednesday stemmed from a bar fight, and at least four other people were injured. This marks the second such incident in the town within the past three years.

Officials identified the shooter as 45-year-old Ako Martinovic, who killed the bar owner, the bar owner's children, and members of his own family. The attacker initially fled the scene before being located and surrounded by police. Interior Minister Danilo Saranovic stated that the attacker ultimately shot himself in the head, resulting in his death. Cetinje, a small town of approximately 17,000 residents, is reeling from the shock and sadness of the event.

"I knew all the victims, and I knew the attacker. I think he lost his mind," said Vesko Milosevic, a retiree from Cetinje. "All I know is that he went from one place to another, killing many people, it was a disaster." Vanja Popovic, a relative of one of the victims, stated, "We are all shocked. How can I not be sad that something like this happened? No one expected this, you can't even ask anyone anything."

Police deployed special forces to hunt down the attacker in Cetinje, located about 30 kilometers northwest of the capital, Podgorica. Police blocked all roads in and out of the city for several hours. Saranovic reported that the gunman died en route to a hospital in the capital due to "serious injuries." According to officials, the attacker had been with others at a bar earlier in the day, which led to a fight. He went home to retrieve a gun and began shooting around 5:30 p.m.

Prosecutor Andrijana Nastic said on Thursday that the attacker went to six locations during the shooting, including the final location where he killed himself. Nastic said that four men were killed at the bar. The gunman then moved to another location, killing four more people, followed by two children at a third location. He then killed two more people at two other locations before finally taking his own life. She added, "Further investigation will determine the exact circumstances of the event."

The government has declared a three-day national mourning period beginning on Thursday, and all planned New Year celebrations across the country have been canceled. Prime Minister Milojko Spajic stated that the government may attempt a comprehensive ban on weapons, "because after this event, we must ask ourselves who should be allowed to possess weapons in Montenegro." The small Adriatic nation of approximately 620,000 people is known for its gun culture, with many people traditionally owning weapons. In August 2022, in the historical Montenegrin city of Cetinje, an attacker killed 10 people, including two children, before being shot and killed by a passerby.

Police stated that the suspect in Wednesday's shooting had received a suspended sentence for violent behavior in 2005 and was appealing his recent conviction for illegal possession of weapons. Montenegrin media reported that he was known for his erratic and violent behavior. "What should have been a moment of festive joy... has been overshadowed by the loss of innocent lives," wrote Montenegrin President Jakov Milatovic in a post on X.