Tragedy in Montenegro: Shooting Rampage Ends with Death of Perpetrator

A shocking shooting spree shakes Montenegro: As Interior Minister Danilo Saranovic announced, the life of the shooter Aleksandar Martinovic, 45, ended due to self-inflicted injuries. After a wild exchange of gunfire in the city of Cetinje, where at least ten people lost their lives, Martinovic attempted suicide near his residence before being surrounded by police. According to Saranovic, he initially survived the self-inflicted injury but succumbed to his injuries on the way to the hospital. The rampage began on Wednesday afternoon in a restaurant in Cetinje, just 38 kilometers west of the capital Podgorica. There, the gunman initially killed four people, then went on a murderous spree at three other locations, taking the lives of at least six more people, including two children. Additionally, four other people suffered life-threatening injuries. It was revealed that Martinovic had a history of illegal gun ownership. Police Director Lazar Scepanovic stated that the perpetrator might have been heavily intoxicated before opening fire. Prime Minister Milojko Spajic explained that an altercation preceded the shooting spree. According to police sources, there are no indications of involvement in organized crime. Although Montenegro has a pronounced gun culture, such mass shootings are unusual. However, in 2022, a similar tragedy occurred in Cetinje, where eleven people lost their lives. Prime Minister Spajic called the incident a "terrible tragedy" and ordered three days of national mourning. President Jakov Milatovic expressed his dismay over the attack. In the Western Balkan countries, weapons are widespread despite strict laws. Many of them originate from the conflicts of the 1990s. In response to the recent events, the government in Montenegro is considering tightening gun regulations, up to a potential complete ban on weapons.