A mass shooting in Cetinje, Montenegro, on January 1, 2025, resulted in the deaths of 12 individuals, among them two children, three women, and seven men. Officials are referring to this incident as one of the most devastating events in the nation’s history.
The Acting Director of the Police Administration (UP), Lazar Šćepanović, disclosed at a press conference that the perpetrator committed these atrocities across five separate locations in a 30-minute timeframe. The police were alerted at 5:26 p.m. about shots being fired at a tavern, but the information regarding the location—Bajice—was erroneous.
Šćepanović mentioned that it took the shooter 30 minutes to execute these killings, and the first response team from Podgorica arrived 20 minutes after the alert. The victims were a mix of acquaintances, friends, godfathers, and immediate family.
The perpetrator, a 45-year-old man named Aleksandar “Aco” Martinovic, embarked on a killing spree after spending the day drinking and getting into a dispute at a local bar. This incident has shocked the entire nation and plunged it into mourning.
As the state broadcaster RTCG reported, the violence started when Martinovic was involved in an argument at a tavern in the historic town of Cetinje. It’s reported that after the confrontation, he returned home, retrieved a firearm, and initiated the deadly rampage.
Details of the Attack
Martinovic began his 30-minute attack at the tavern, killing four people, including the owner of the bar. He then proceeded to five other locations, targeting individuals he knew and strangers. Among the victims were two children, aged 9 and 14, who were the children of the restaurant owner. Tragically, members of Martinovic’s own family, including his sister, Zorica Vuletić, were also killed.
Using thermal imaging cameras, law enforcement located Martinović. He refused to surrender his weapons, and at approximately 11:35 p.m., he inflicted a gunshot wound to his head. Though not immediately fatal, he succumbed to his injuries en route to the “Danilo I” hospital.
Four individuals were gravely injured during the attack. As of the current reports, three are stable, while one remains critical.
Government Response and Gun Control Debate
Prime Minister Milojko Spajic publicly denounced the violent act, stating, “Weapons must not be on the streets and in the hands of those who can harm others.” Following the tragedy, the government declared three days of national mourning and called off all New Year’s celebrations.
Šćepanović referred to the incident as “one of the biggest tragedies in the history of Montenegro.” The shooting has sparked renewed calls for stricter gun control in Montenegro, which has one of the highest rates of firearm ownership worldwide. Montenegro and neighboring Serbia both have an estimated 39 firearms per 100 people.
Authorities disclosed that Martinovic had a criminal record, including a prior conviction for illegal weapons possession and a suspended sentence for violent behavior. These revelations have added to the criticism of current gun laws and enforcement practices in the country.
The Montenegrin government called an emergency security council meeting in response to the tragedy. During a visit to Cetinje on Thursday, Prime Minister Milojko Spajić declared that regulations on weapon possession will be tightened and that the government is contemplating a complete ban.
Cetinje: A Town Marked by Tragic Incidents
It is not the first mass shooting in Cetinje in recent history. In August 2022, a similar incident took place where a gunman killed 10 people, including two children. The incident underscores the region’s ongoing issues with gun violence. The town’s grieving and frustrated residents are urging swift action to prevent future catastrophes.
“Instead of holiday joy…we have been gripped by sadness over the loss of innocent lives,” President Jakov Milatović posted on X.