The quiet city of Cetinje, Montenegro, nestled in the country’s western region, was shattered by a horrific act of violence on a fateful Wednesday. A seemingly ordinary day erupted into chaos as a shooting rampage claimed the lives of at least ten individuals, including two innocent children, leaving four others critically injured. The picturesque city, typically known for its historic charm, became the backdrop for a tragedy that sent shockwaves throughout the small Balkan nation. The incident, stemming from a bar brawl, quickly escalated into a horrifying display of brutality, leaving the community reeling from the sudden and senseless loss.
The suspect, identified by police as 45-year-old Aco Martinovic, is believed to have initiated the violence following an altercation at a local bar. According to Montenegrin Interior Minister Danilo Saranovic, Martinovic, after engaging in the bar fight, returned to his home, retrieved a firearm, and embarked on a shooting spree. The rampage began at the bar where the initial dispute occurred, resulting in the deaths of the bar owner and his children. Tragically, the violence extended beyond the bar, engulfing other locations in Cetinje and claiming the lives of additional victims, including members of Martinovic’s own family.
Law enforcement authorities immediately launched a massive manhunt for the suspect. Police, including specialized tactical units, swarmed the city, blocking all roads leading in and out of Cetinje in an effort to apprehend Martinovic. Interior Minister Saranovic emphasized the extreme danger posed by the suspect, urging residents to remain indoors until he was captured. He described the level of rage and brutality exhibited by Martinovic as exceeding even that of organized criminal gangs, highlighting the unpredictable and volatile nature of the situation.
The unfolding narrative of the attack, pieced together by police commissioner Lazar Scepanovic, paints a chilling picture of the events. Martinovic, who had reportedly been at the bar throughout the day, allegedly killed four individuals at the initial scene before continuing his rampage at three other locations. He attempted to take the lives of four more people before fleeing in a vehicle, which was later recovered by police. This sequence of events underscores the calculated and ruthless nature of the attack, leaving the community grappling with the scale of the tragedy.
The suspect’s history further complicates the narrative. Martinovic appears to have had prior encounters with the law, including a suspended sentence for violent behavior in 2005 and a more recent conviction for illegal firearm possession, which he had appealed. Local media reports indicate a pattern of violence and erratic behavior, adding another layer of complexity to understanding the motivations behind the horrific act. This tragic incident underscores the devastating consequences of unchecked aggression and the importance of addressing underlying issues related to violence within communities.
This devastating incident is not the first to plague Cetinje. Just three years prior, the city experienced another mass shooting, also resulting in the deaths of ten people, including two children. That attacker was ultimately neutralized by a bystander. The recurrence of such violence in the relatively small nation of Montenegro, with a population of approximately 620,000, raises concerns about the prevalence of gun ownership and the potential for escalating conflicts. While the country is known for its gun culture, the repeated occurrence of such tragedies calls for a deeper examination of the societal factors contributing to these acts of violence. The nation’s leaders have expressed their shock and grief over the tragedy, emphasizing the need for unity and support during this difficult time. The Prime Minister declared three days of national mourning as the community grapples with the profound loss and searches for answers in the wake of this senseless act of violence.
