Police investigators work on the web site of a taking pictures in Cetinje, positioned 22 miles west of Podogrica, Montenegro, Wednesday, Jan 1, 2025.
Risto Bozovic/AP
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Risto Bozovic/AP
PODGORICA, Montenegro — Not less than 10 individuals, together with two youngsters, had been killed and 4 others had been significantly wounded on Wednesday in a taking pictures rampage that adopted a bar brawl in a western Montenegrin metropolis, officers mentioned. The shooter was on the run.
Police recognized the attacker as 45-year-old Aco Martinovic. He killed the proprietor of the bar within the metropolis of Cetinje, the bar proprietor’s youngsters and his family members, Inside Minister Danilo Saranovic mentioned at a information convention.
“At this second, we’re centered on arresting him,” Saranovic informed reporters.
Police dispatched particular troops to seek for the attacker in Cetinje, positioned some 30 kilometers (18 miles) northwest of the capital, Podgorica. All of the roads out and in of the town have been blocked as police swarmed the streets.
Saranovic described the suspect as harmful and appealed on the residents to remain indoors.
“The extent of rage and brutality exhibits that generally such individuals … are much more harmful than members of organized prison gangs,” Saranovic mentioned.
Martinovic was on the bar all through the day with different company when the brawl erupted, mentioned Police Commissioner Lazar Scepanovic. He mentioned that Martinovic then went residence, brough again a weapon and opened fireplace at round 5:30 p.m.
“He killed 4 individuals” on the bar, earlier than heading out after which continued taking pictures at three extra areas, mentioned Scepanovic. “He tried to take the lives of 4 extra individuals, after which fled with the car he was utilizing, which we have now discovered.”
He mentioned that the suspect acquired a suspended sentence in 2005 for violent conduct and has appealed his newest conviction for unlawful possession of weapons. Montenegrin media have reported he was recognized for erratic and violent conduct.
Small Montenegro, which has some 620,000 individuals, is understood for its gun tradition and many individuals historically have weapons.
Wednesday’s taking pictures was the second taking pictures rampage over the previous three years in Cetinje, Montenegro’s historic capital. An attacker additionally killed 10 individuals, together with two youngsters, in August 2022 earlier than he was shot and killed by a passerby in Cetinje.
President Jakov Milatovic mentioned he was “shocked and surprised” by the tragedy. “As a substitute of vacation pleasure … we have now been gripped by unhappiness over the lack of harmless lives,” Milatovic mentioned on the social media platform X.
Prime Minister Milojko Spajic went to the hospital the place the wounded had been being handled and introduced three days of mourning. He mentioned “all police groups” had been out trying to find the suspect.
“It is a horrible tragedy that has affected us all,” Spajic mentioned.
