Montenegro shooting death toll rises to 14 as another victim succumbs

The death toll from a tragic New Year’s Day shooting in Montenegro has risen to 14, as one of the injured victims succumbed to their wounds.

The Clinical Centre of Montenegro in Podgorica confirmed the death, stating that while the patient initially showed signs of recovery, their condition deteriorated rapidly, leading to a fatal outcome, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

Three other victims of the attack remain hospitalized, receiving treatment for their injuries.

The shooting occurred on the night of January 1 at a café in the village of Bajice, near Cetinje in southern Montenegro. The suspect, Atso Martinović, fled the scene in a car after opening fire. Authorities later confirmed that Martinović attempted suicide and died while being transported to the hospital.

According to reports, the attack stemmed from a heated argument between Martinović and another man, who was among the injured. Media outlets have described Martinović as having a history of aggressive behaviour, including previous arrests for illegal possession of weapons.

In response to the tragedy, Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajić declared three days of mourning and expressed the nation’s grief over the horrific event. He also hinted at potential policy changes, suggesting that the National Security Council might consider introducing stricter regulations or a ban on gun ownership to prevent future incidents.

The shooting has left the small Balkan nation reeling, casting a shadow over the start of the new year and sparking renewed debates on public safety and gun control.

By Tamilla Hasanova