Tragedy in Montenegro: Shooting Leaves at Least Ten Dead, Suspect Still at Large

Montenegro is in mourning after a tragic incident on Wednesday, January 1, when an armed man opened fire in a restaurant near the city of Cetinje in the south of the country. The suspect, identified as A.M., 45, killed at least ten people, including two minors, before fleeing the scene.

A Scene of Unprecedented Violence

According to initial reports from public broadcaster RTCG, the suspect used a firearm to carry out the attack in a family-run restaurant in Bajice. “In the afternoon, he killed several people, including members of his own family,” police reported. Interior Minister Danilo Saranovic described the incident as a “private event” that tragically escalated. Among the victims were two minors from the Vuletic family, who owned the restaurant.

An Ongoing Investigation

Authorities have ruled out organized crime, despite Montenegro’s history of violence linked to criminal gangs. Prime Minister Milojko Spajic announced that all available forces – police, special units, and the military – were mobilized to track down the suspect.

“We are on the right path to apprehend him,” Spajic said, adding that the tragedy appeared to stem from a personal dispute that spiraled out of control. The government has also declared a three-day national mourning period from January 2 to 4 to honor the victims.

Critically Injured Victims

Four people severely injured in the shooting are currently fighting for their lives. “Doctors are doing everything they can to save them,” the Prime Minister said. The tragedy has also reignited the debate over gun ownership in the country. Spajic pledged stricter measures on firearm access, stating, “This tragedy forces us to reassess who can own guns in Montenegro.”

A City Plagued by Violence

The city of Cetinje, a former royal capital nestled in a valley, has been the site of numerous violent incidents linked to organized crime. However, authorities emphasized that this particular shooting was not related to gang rivalries.

A Nation in Shock

Montenegrin President Jakov Milatovic expressed his solidarity on social media:

“Our thoughts are with the families who lost loved ones and the people of Cetinje. All of Montenegro shares your grief. We pray for the recovery of the injured.”

As authorities continue their investigation and intensify the search for the suspect, this tragedy has plunged the small Balkan nation into deep sorrow.