The quiet town of Cetinje is in shock after a deadly rampage left 12 dead and four critically injured.
Twelve people, including two children, were killed in a horrific mass shooting in Cetinje, Montenegro, on New Year’s Day. Four others are fighting for their lives in hospital.
The gunman, identified as 34-year-old Aco Martinovi?, went on a rampage across five locations in the town, around 30km from the capital Podgorica. He was reportedly injured after turning the gun on himself and died while being taken to hospital.
The violence started after a dispute in a bar, where Martinovi? allegedly shot four people following hours of drinking and socializing. Among the victims were friends and even his godfather, according to authorities.
Investigating the motive
Montenegro’s Interior Minister, Danilo Šaranovi?, said the motive for the attack is unclear. “This is an unprecedented tragedy for our community,” he told reporters.
The tragedy unfolded across multiple locations. Two children were killed at the third site, and one person each was shot at the fourth and fifth locations.
Calls for stricter gun control
Prime Minister Milojko Spaji? described the events as a “horrible tragedy” and pledged to review the country’s gun laws. “We will consider a complete ban on firearm ownership,” he said during a late-night press conference.
Martinovi? had a criminal history but was not seen as a threat. In 2005, he was handed a suspended sentence for misconduct. More recently, in 2022, police found weapons and explosives in his home, leading to a three-month prison sentence.
National mourning declared
The government has announced three days of mourning from January 2 to 4. All New Year’s celebrations in major cities, including Podgorica, Budva, and Kotor, have been canceled.
Residents in Cetinje, a town of just over 15,000 people, are struggling to come to terms with the tragedy.
“It’s devastating. This is a small community, and everyone knows someone who has been affected,” a local resident said.
