The tragic events unfolded on Wednesday as emergency services rushed to the Cetinje area following reports of gunfire. Local police confirmed that the shooter, identified as 45-year-old Aleksandar Martinović, killed members of his family and children of the restaurant owner after a dispute among patrons. The attack commenced around 5:30 PM local time in a restaurant, escalating quickly as the assailant targeted multiple sites. In a somber announcement, Prime Minister Milojko Spajic declared three days of national mourning beginning Thursday, expressing that the shooting has “shrouded our country in black.”
The Interior Minister labeled the incident a tragic outcome of "disturbed interpersonal relations," noting that the shooter had reportedly been drinking heavily prior to the attack. Four additional individuals suffered serious injuries and were hospitalized.
After fleeing the scene, Martinović was later cornered by police but fatally wounded himself before reaching the hospital. In light of the events, Prime Minister Spajic expressed his sorrow on social media, calling the incident a senseless act of violence that has caused deep sadness throughout the nation. He stated that the government's security council would urgently explore measures to enhance public protection, including the potential implementation of a total weapons ban, acknowledging that such mass shootings are rare in Montenegro. These types of violent incidents have occurred previously, notably in 2022 when a man also killed multiple people in Cetinje amid family disputes.
The Interior Minister labeled the incident a tragic outcome of "disturbed interpersonal relations," noting that the shooter had reportedly been drinking heavily prior to the attack. Four additional individuals suffered serious injuries and were hospitalized.
After fleeing the scene, Martinović was later cornered by police but fatally wounded himself before reaching the hospital. In light of the events, Prime Minister Spajic expressed his sorrow on social media, calling the incident a senseless act of violence that has caused deep sadness throughout the nation. He stated that the government's security council would urgently explore measures to enhance public protection, including the potential implementation of a total weapons ban, acknowledging that such mass shootings are rare in Montenegro. These types of violent incidents have occurred previously, notably in 2022 when a man also killed multiple people in Cetinje amid family disputes.
