PODGORICA, Montenegro — A tragic shooting incident on Wednesday claimed the lives of at least ten individuals, including two children, and left four others critically injured. This violent episode followed a confrontation in a bar located in the city of Cetinje, prompting immediate police action to locate the shooter, who fled the scene.
Authorities have named the attacker as Aco Martinovic, 45, who is accused of fatally shooting the bar’s owner, his children, and several of his own family members, according to Interior Minister Danilo Saranovic during a press briefing. Saranovic emphasized that arresting Martinovic is currently the police’s main objective.
In response to the situation, special police forces have been deployed to search for the assailant in Cetinje, which is about 30 kilometers (18 miles) northwest of the capital, Podgorica. Access routes to the city have been closed off as law enforcement heavily patrols the area. Minister Saranovic also described the suspect as extremely dangerous and urged local residents to remain indoors for their safety.
Saranovic remarked on the severity of the attack, highlighting the sheer level of aggression exhibited by Martinovic. “The level of rage and brutality shows that sometimes such individuals can pose an even greater threat than those involved in organized crime,” he stated.
According to Police Commissioner Lazar Scepanovic, Martinovic was present in the bar for much of the day before the altercation unfolded. Following the initial brawl, he returned home to retrieve a weapon and began shooting at approximately 5:30 p.m. “He killed four people at the bar and continued his rampage at three additional locations,” Scepanovic confirmed, adding that the suspect attempted to harm four more individuals before escaping in a vehicle, which has since been recovered.
Previously, Martinovic had faced legal troubles, receiving a suspended sentence in 2005 for violent conduct. He had also appealed a recent conviction for illegal weapon possession, and local media revealed he had a reputation for unpredictable and aggressive behavior.
Montenegro, a small country with a population of around 620,000, has a notable gun culture, and it is common for residents to possess firearms. This shooting marked the second such massacre in Cetinje within three years; a similar incident occurred in August 2022 when an assailant killed ten individuals, including two children, before being shot dead by a bystander.
In light of this incident, President Jakov Milatovic expressed his shock and sorrow online, stating, “In place of holiday celebrations, we are now faced with profound grief over the loss of innocent lives.” Meanwhile, Prime Minister Milojko Spajic visited the hospital where the injured are being treated and announced three days of national mourning. Spajic confirmed that “all police units” were actively searching for Martinovic, referring to the shooting as a catastrophic event that has deeply affected the nation.
