Gunman kills at least 10 in rampage in Montenegro

A gunman killed at least 10 people in a deadly shooting spree in the town of Cetinje, Montenegro, on January 1, marking one of the worst mass killings in the small Balkan nation's history, according to police.

The suspect, identified by police as 45-year-old Aleksandar Martinovic, opened fire at a restaurant in Cetinje, killing four people. He then moved on to three other locations, where he gunned down a family member, two children, and three additional victims. Four more people are reported to have life-threatening injuries, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Martinovic, who reportedly has a history of illegal weapons possession, remains at large. Authorities have launched an extensive manhunt, with police focusing on the area surrounding Cetinje, a small valley town located approximately 38 kilometers (23.6 miles) west of the Montenegrin capital, Podgorica. Special police units and anti-terrorist teams are actively searching the rugged hills around the town, aided by a drone with thermal vision.

"The perimeter is narrowed. ... We will do everything to put this person under control and apprehend him," said Police Director Lazar Scepanovic. He added that the suspect was believed to have been intoxicated before carrying out the attack. Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajic reported that a brawl involving pistols preceded the shootings.

Police have stressed that the attack is not believed to be connected to organized crime. Mass shootings are rare in Montenegro, despite the country’s strong gun culture. A similar incident occurred in Cetinje in 2022, when 11 people, including two children and the gunman, were killed in another mass shooting.

This recent attack has shocked the nation of 605,000 people. Prime Minister Spajic described the event as a "terrible tragedy" and announced three days of national mourning.

Montenegrin President Jakov Milatovic also expressed his shock, stating, "We are praying and hoping for the recovery of the wounded."

As the town of Cetinje remained eerily quiet, its snow-covered streets were deserted except for law enforcement. Police have urged residents to stay inside their homes, and video footage showed officers cordoning off a neighbourhood where festive lights hung from lamp posts.

Despite strict gun laws in the region, the Western Balkans—comprising Montenegro, Serbia, Bosnia, Albania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia—remain heavily armed. Many weapons are a legacy of the violent conflicts during the 1990s, while others date back to World War I.

In response to the growing concern, Prime Minister Spajic announced that authorities would review the criteria for firearm ownership, including the possibility of a complete ban on weapons.

By Vugar Khalilov