Podgorica, Montenegro: A gunman who went on a deadly rampage in Montenegro’s town of Cetinje, killing at least 10 people, has died from self-inflicted wounds on Thursday after attempting suicide, according to the country’s Interior Minister Danilo Saranovic.
The suspect, identified by police as 45-year-old Aleksandar Martinovic, tried to take his own life near his residence after being cornered by authorities. Saranovic confirmed that Martinovic did not die immediately from his injuries but succumbed during transport to a hospital. “When he saw that he was in a hopeless situation, he attempted suicide. He did not succumb to his injuries on the spot, but during the transport to hospital,” Saranovic told Montenegro’s state broadcaster, RTCG. The minister refrained from sharing specific details regarding the suicide attempt.
Martinovic’s shooting spree began Wednesday afternoon at a restaurant in Cetinje, a small town 38 km (23.6 miles) from the Montenegrin capital Podgorica. There, he killed four people before moving on to three other locations, where he claimed at least six more victims, including two children. Four others are in critical condition, police stated. Authorities also confirmed that Martinovic had a history of illegal weapons possession.
The police director, Lazar Scepanovic, revealed late on Wednesday that Martinovic was believed to have been heavily intoxicated before opening fire. Prime Minister Milojko Spajic stated that the incident followed a brawl, but officials have emphasized that there is no indication that the shooting was linked to organized crime.
Montenegro, with a population of 605,000, has experienced rare mass shootings despite its strong gun culture. In 2022, a similar attack in Cetinje claimed the lives of 11 people, including two children and the gunman.
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The latest rampage has left the country in shock. Prime Minister Spajic described the tragedy as “terrible” and announced three days of national mourning. President Jakov Milatovic expressed his horror over the incident, condemning the violence.
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Although Montenegro enforces strict gun laws, the Western Balkans region remains rife with illegal weapons, remnants of the violent wars of the 1990s and even earlier conflicts. In response to the incident, Prime Minister Spajic mentioned that authorities would consider further tightening gun ownership regulations, potentially implementing a complete ban on weapons.
