Gunman who killed at least 12 people in shooting rampage in Montenegro dies by suicide

A gunman who fatally shot at the very least 12 folks, together with two kids, in Montenegro has killed himself whereas surrounded by police, officers stated Thursday. At the least 4 others had been wounded within the taking pictures rampage within the western city of Cetinje on Wednesday that adopted a bar brawl, officers stated. The shooter, recognized as 45-year-old Aco Martinovic, killed the proprietor of the bar, the bar proprietor’s kids and his circle of relatives members, Inside Minister Danilo Saranovic stated.

The attacker, who fled after the rampage, was later positioned and surrounded by police. He died after taking pictures himself within the head, Saranovic stated.

Police had dispatched a particular unit to seek for the attacker within the city, which is positioned about 30 kilometres northwest of the capital, Podgorica. All of the roads out and in of town have been blocked as police swarmed the streets.

Saranovic stated that Martinovic had died whereas being taken to a hospital within the capital and succumbed from the “severity of his accidents.”

The federal government has declared three days of nationwide mourning beginning on Thursday, with Prime Minister Milojko Spajic describing the taking pictures as a “horrible tragedy.” “The extent of rage and brutality exhibits that generally such folks … are much more harmful than members of organised prison gangs,” Saranovic stated. Martinovic was on the bar all through the day with different visitors when the brawl erupted, Police Commissioner Lazar Scepanovic stated. He stated that Martinovic then went house, introduced again a weapon and opened fireplace at round 5:30 pm.

“He killed 4 folks” on the bar earlier than heading out, after which continued taking pictures at three extra areas, Scepanovic stated.

He stated that the suspect acquired a suspended sentence in 2005 for violent behaviour and had appealed his newest conviction for unlawful weapons possession. Montenegrin media have reported that he was identified for erratic and violent behaviour.

The small nation of Montenegro, which has a inhabitants of round 6,20,000 folks, 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 killed 10 folks, together with two kids, in August 2022 earlier than he was shot and killed by a passerby in Cetinje.

President Jakov Milatovic stated that he was “shocked and shocked” by the tragedy.

“As a substitute of vacation pleasure … now we have been gripped by disappointment over the lack of harmless lives,” Milatovic stated in a put up on X.